Indian sailor describes fear aboard trapped vessel
An Indian seafarer stranded near Iran for nearly 10 weeks has described the fear and uncertainty faced by thousands of sailors trapped amid the ongoing conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The sailor, identified as Anish under a pseudonym, said he arrived aboard a cargo ship shortly before the United States launched military operations against Iran on February 28.
Since then, Anish and his crew have remained stuck in the Shatt al-Arab waterway as fighting and maritime tensions intensified across the region. He said missiles, drones, and military operations created constant fear among crew members.
Meanwhile, some Indian sailors managed to leave Iran through the Armenian border, but many others stayed behind because employers allegedly failed to pay salaries or provide travel funds. Anish added that several crews now survive on limited food supplies, including potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and flatbread.
At the same time, maritime organizations estimate nearly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded after Iran effectively restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.
Shipping disruptions deepen humanitarian concerns
Despite a ceasefire announcement between Washington and Tehran in April, attacks near the strategic waterway have continued disrupting commercial shipping operations. The United States recently accused Iran of targeting American naval vessels, while Tehran claimed US forces attacked civilian areas and oil tankers.
Furthermore, maritime intelligence groups reported multiple attacks on commercial ships during recent weeks. Labour organizations also warned that civilian crews face growing risks from military operations, detentions, and supply shortages.
The International Maritime Organization described the situation as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis affecting seafarers from several countries. Officials noted that many trapped workers cannot rotate off ships because flights remain disrupted and replacement crews cannot safely reach vessels.
In addition, labour representatives said smaller shipping companies often fail to provide adequate protections, salaries, or emergency support for stranded crews operating in dangerous conditions.
