'We want to know if our son is safe': Parents of seafarer seek help after losing contact amid Iran conflict

A Kerala family is seeking desperate help from government after they lost contact with their seafarer son and another youth for over a month amid the escalating conflict in Iran.

Wayanad: The parents of a 20-year-old seafarer from Mananthavady are desperately seeking answers after losing contact with their son for over a month amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Fadusha Farhan T U, son of Shamsudheen and Rehnath, was working aboard a Malta-flagged commercial vessel, Arucus, operated by Trim Ship Management, and stationed in Iran.

Another youth from Kerala, Jerin Joseph of Idukki, who was also on the same ship, has similarly been unreachable.

Speaking to PTI, Rehnath said Farhan had been on the vessel for the past eight months. “He last spoke to us on February 27 through a video call and said everything was normal. He mentioned the ship would soon begin its journey from Tehran to Turkey,” she recalled.

However, all communication was lost the very next day as tensions escalated in the region. The family’s attempts to contact the shipping company have also been unsuccessful.

Shamsudheen said this was not the first time they had faced such a situation. “Last year, during a brief conflict, we couldn’t reach him for over 20 days due to internet shutdowns. But this time, the situation appears far more serious,” he said.

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

Farhan, the eldest of four siblings, is the primary hope of the family. Shamsudheen runs a small dried fish shop to support the household.

“We just want to know if our son and Jerin are safe. If the Indian government raises the issue with Iranian authorities, we may get some information,” Rehnath said, expressing hope for their safe return.