Over 650 Indian fishermen stranded near Iran’s Kish Island amid conflict
Kanyakumari MP urges MEA for immediate escalation
Chennai: Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to urgently evacuate over 650 Indian fishermen stranded near Kish Island in Iran. The fishermen, most of whom hail from coastal villages in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district, are reportedly facing acute shortages of food and essential supplies due to the ongoing regional conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a letter dated 3 July addressed to M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the MEA's PAI Division, the MP highlighted the worsening conditions faced by the stranded fishermen. He noted that despite the Indian Embassy officials visiting the group and assessing their situation, their distress continues to mount. Vasanth stated that contact details and the fishermen’s location have already been shared with the authorities, and Antony Shaju has been designated as the liaison point for coordination.
The MP described the situation as a humanitarian crisis and called for immediate delivery of food supplies and safe repatriation. Families of the fishermen in India are reportedly anxious, with no clear update yet from the government regarding an evacuation plan.
According to reports, more than 1,000 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, mainly from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi, were working in Iran on contractual jobs near the Kish Island port. Operations were suspended after hostilities escalated between Israel and Iran. Although tensions have slightly eased, the conditions remain unsafe, and over 650 fishermen are still stranded aboard their motorboats without access to land or supplies.
MEA sources have confirmed that the issue is under urgent consideration, though an official statement is yet to be released.
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Cong seeks thorough probe into Goa nightclub fire; Rahul alleges criminal failure of governance
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Sunday demanded a comprehensive investigation and strict accountability for the tragic fire at a nightclub in Goa that killed 25 people, with Rahul Gandhi claiming it was a criminal failure of safety and governance.
The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub at Arpora village in North Goa, early Sunday, killing at least 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members, and injuring six others.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the blaze.
“This avoidable tragic incident is an irreparable loss, and I pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have been injured.
ALSO READ: Cong seeks thorough probe into Goa nightclub fire; Rahul alleges criminal failure of governance
“Such tragedies call for a comprehensive investigation, strict accountability, and immediate steps to ensure that all fire safety norms are enforced, so that such devastating incidents are never repeated,” Kharge said in a post on X.
The veteran leader also appealed to all the Congress workers in the coastal region to extend every possible support and assistance to the affected families and stand with them in this hour of grief.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said he was deeply pained by the tragic fire in Arpora.
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough, transparent probe must fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don't occur again,” Gandhi said in an X post.
Congress general secretary in charge of organisation, K C Venugopal, sought fixing of accountability for the tragic blaze so that such incidents are not repeated.
"The fire at a night club in Arpora, Goa, is shocking and I convey my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims who lost their lives.
"This tragedy took place because of the negligence of the authorities in enforcing fire safety norms. We urge a thorough and impartial investigation to identify those responsible and to ensure accountability, so that such a tragedy is never repeated," he said in a post on X.
Deeply pained by the tragic fire in Arpora, Goa that claimed more than 20 lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 7, 2025
This is not just an accident, it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough,…
