18 Indians among crew of tanker seized by Iran

Tehran - India is seeking the release of its sailors.

The Indian and Philippine governments say they're working to get Iran to release nationals from the two countries who were on board a British-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran in the Arabian Gulf.
India's foreign ministry spokesman, Raveesh Kumar, said Saturday its diplomats were "in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation" of the 18 Indian crew members on the Stena Impero.
Manila's Department of Foreign Affairs also says its ambassador to Tehran is in contact with Iranian authorities to ensure the one Filipino crew member's safety and immediate release.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola says there have been no reports of injuries among the crew.

Filipino seafarer among 23-member crew of British oil tanker
There were no reported injuries among the seafarers on board MT Stena Impero, that was recently seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.
The DFA confirmed that a Filipino seafarer was among the 23-member crew of the British oil tanker, along with 18 Indians, three Russians, and a Latvian.
"The Philippine-based manning agency immediately informed the Filipino seafarer's next of kin, and is providing the necessary assistance, while its foreign counterpart is in active coordination with UK authorities on the whereabouts of the ship and the condition of the seafarers on board," a DFA statement said.
The DFA added that Philippine Ambassador to Iran Fred Santos has reached out to Iranian authorities "to seek assurance that the Filipino seafarer is safe and will be released soon."
Sarah Lou Arriola, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has received a report that the crew is safe and the vessel is on its way to the coast of Iran, the DFA noted.
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