Indian mission in Dubai repatriates 100 distressed sailors in six months

Dubai - The consulate has also worked day and night to help victims and families of the 12 Indians who died in the tragic Eid bus accident.

A total of 100 distressed sailors were repatriated to India since January this year, revealed the Indian diplomatic mission in Dubai.
Speaking to Khaleej Times alongside the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE, Consul-General of India in Dubai Vipul explained the consulate's achievements in the first six months of this year. The mission's priority has been to serve the most-distressed cases.
"Till July 31 this year, from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) the consulate has provided air tickets to about 375 people. Special attention has been given to the welfare of every Indian abroad, especially those in distress.
"The consulate has helped repatriate the mortal remains of 52 people, helped 28 medical cases and provided subsistence to more than 600 workers. In all these activities, we receive great cooperation from local authorities," added Vipul.
The consulate has also worked day and night to help victims and families of the 12 Indians who died in the tragic Eid bus accident.
Repatriated sailors relieved, grateful
The plight of the 40 sailors stranded onboard various shipping vessels that were abandoned off the UAE coast by their company Elite Way Marine Services has been extensively reported by Khaleej Times. Following negotiations by the Federal Transport Authority, the consulate and the charity Mission to Seafarers, the sailors were repatriated in different batches after the company agreed to pay part of their pending salaries.
One of them include the crew of Tamim Aldar had lived in horrific conditions without food, clean drinking water and air conditioning since 2017. Vikas Mishra, a survivor said: "It was tough to survive. But, it was tougher for my family who depended on my income. My father is a farmer. Without my salary, he had to sell part of his land to fund his treatment and to send my kids to school. For now, the worst days are over."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai