CBCI President Mar Andrews Thazhath has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make diplomatic efforts to secure the return of 17 Indians, including four Keralites, who are aboard an Israel-linked cargo ship seized by Iran.

The Ministry of External Affairs has initiated efforts to secure their release. The MSC Aries, which was traveling from the UAE to Mumbai, was seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz.

Anne Tessa Joseph, a Keralite from Thrissur, contacted her family via video call. Her father, Biju Abraham, reported that she assured them of her safety. According to her father, Anne Tessa mentioned that everyone on board was safe but restricted from using their phones, and they anticipated release within a week.

Anne Tessa Joseph, originally from Thrissur's Vellur, had been on the ship for nine months as part of her training.