Tamil Nadu Fishermen Stranded in Iran Amid Escalating Conflict, Await Evacuation Orders
As explosions reverberate along the Iranian coastline each night, Peter, also known as Nirmal Raj, a fisherman hailing from Kanyakumari district, lies awake in his residence in Bandar-e Moqam, Iran, consumed by fear and uncertainty. "We hear sounds of bombs falling. We don't know what will happen next," he revealed during a video call with Times of India. His plight mirrors that of approximately 600 other fishermen from Tamil Nadu, primarily from districts including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Nagapattinam, who are now stranded in Iranian coastal areas such as Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, and Asaluyeh.
Desperate Pleas for Rescue Fall on Deaf Ears
With fishing activities completely halted due to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, these fishermen have lost their livelihoods, leaving them without income and with dwindling food supplies. Despite their urgent appeals to Indian officials for evacuation, no orders have been issued to facilitate their return home. Most of these individuals traveled legally on work visas, navigating through Gulf countries before arriving in Iran for deep-sea fishing, where they earned a share of the catch. However, the sudden cessation of fishing operations has rendered them jobless and trapped in a foreign land. Social worker Alwin Jose emphasized, "The government should bring them back."
Families in Distress Appeal for Government Action
In Kadiyapattanam village, Ruth Baby Thason has taken proactive steps by writing to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Fisheries, and other diplomats, pleading for the rescue of her husband, Leo Babu, and other Tamil Nadu fishermen stranded in Iran. Leo Babu returned to Iran in February for work, leaving the couple with two young children, aged four and three, and no source of income. Local estimates suggest that nearly 130 fishermen from Kadiyapattanam alone are among those trapped.
Ruth has urged the government to:
- Ascertain the safety of the fishermen through the Indian Embassy.
- Provide emergency food, shelter, and medical assistance.
- Take urgent measures to ensure their protection.
- Facilitate swift evacuation and safe repatriation.
She stressed that their lives remain at significant risk under the prevailing war-like conditions.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens with Limited Access to Essentials
Sr Valarmathi of the Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Trust highlighted the severity of the humanitarian crisis, warning that hundreds of Indian citizens are at risk without basic necessities or protection. "Several fishermen have reported that they are confined to boats or coastal facilities with limited access to food, drinking water, and medical care," she explained. The disruption of transport routes and intermittent port operations have further complicated evacuation efforts.
The distress of the stranded fishermen is exacerbated by the absence of immediate assistance. Some have claimed that when they approached Indian authorities in the region, they were informed that no formal evacuation orders had been issued. Peter recounted, "They said there is no order from India to rescue us. So nothing can be done." Efforts to obtain a comment from S M Nasar, Minister for Minorities and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, were unsuccessful.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with recent reports of US military actions near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian attacks on Tel Aviv, the situation for these fishermen grows increasingly dire. Their families and advocates continue to call for decisive action from the Indian government to address this urgent humanitarian issue and ensure the safe return of all stranded individuals.
