Wayanad (Kerala)

The parents of a 20-year-old seafarer from Mananthavady here are running from pillar to post after losing contact with their son for over a month following the outbreak of conflict in Iran.

Another youth, Jerin Joseph from Idukki, who is also on the ship, has also not been reachable, they said.

Fadusha Farhan T U, son of Shamsudheen and Rehnath, has been working on a commercial vessel, Arucus, flying a Malta flag, operated by Trim Ship Management, and was stationed in Iran.

Speaking to PTI, Rehnath said Farhan had been working on the ship for the past eight months.

“He made a video call on February 27 and said everything was normal. He told us that his ship would soon begin its voyage from Tehran to Turkey,” she said.

However, communication was lost the very next day after tensions escalated in the region.

“We tried to contact the shipping company, but we could not reach them either,” she said.

Shamsudheen said that during a similar situation last year, Farhan had been out of contact for over 20 days.

“Later, he told us that internet connectivity had been cut, making communication impossible. But at that time, the conflict lasted only a few days. Now, the news coming from Iran is frightening,” he said.

The parents said they have approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, MLA O R Kelu and MP Priyanka Gandhi, seeking intervention.

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The couple has four children, with Farhan being the eldest. Shamsudheen runs a small dried fish shop for a living.

“If the Indian government takes up the matter with the Iranian authorities, we may get information about our son and his friend Jerin. We hope the authorities will help us find them,” Rehnath said.