Eight crew member continue to be detained for two months
The ITF in Chennai (Madras), India has been seeking the release of eight seafarers held illegally since their ship sunk on 4 April. ITF inspector K Sreekumar has filed a petition with the Chennai High Court to free the Azerbaijan and Turkish seafarers from the Panama-flagged Mirach.
The petition says that the ships 23 crewmembers were held illegally after they were rescued, and had their passports and travel documents removed, but 15 were later released. The remaining eight seafarers, who include the captain, chief officer, second officer, third officer, chief engineer, and second, third and fourth engineers, continue to be detained two months later.
K Sreekumar says that the detainees are mentally depressed and totally dejected. They are becoming psychological and physical wrecks.
The district administration has been detaining the seafarers pending possible action against those responsible for the accident.
Source: ITF