18 Indians on board British oil tanker seized by Iran

New Delhi/ London: Eighteen Indians were among the 23 people on board a British oil tanker seized by Iran, and India said it is in touch with Tehran to secure early release and repatriation of its nationals. Iran's official news agency IRNA said the British-flagged oil tanker was seized due to a collision with an Iranian fishing boat and for "violating" international maritime rules.

Sources in New Delhi confirmed that 18 Indians were among the people on board the oil tanker, Stena Impero.

"We are ascertaining further details of the incident. Our mission is in touch with Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian nationals," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to a question on the detention of Indian crew members along with the oil tanker by Iranian authorities.

"There are 18 Indian and five crew members from Russia, Philipines, Latvia and other countries on board of Stena Impero. The captain is Indian, but the tanker is UK-flagged," IRNA quoted Allahmorad Afifipour, director general of Ports and Maritime Affairs of Hormuzgan province, as saying.