V. Pandiselvi, the mother of Indian sailor Naveen Kumar, has not heard from her son for over six months but still hopes for his return and recalls his old voices with tears.
Kumar was one of six crew members of two cargo ships linked to Iran that were last seen in Iranian waters, and the fate of these ships remains uncertain.
Read more: U.S. and Iran's Diplomatic Efforts to Reduce Tensions
Increase in Attacks on Ships
Commercial vessels have been under attack since the onset of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran on February 28. Tehran has attacked ships to consolidate control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. has also targeted ships linked to Iran to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
The International Maritime Organization of the United Nations has confirmed that since the beginning of this conflict, 130 "incidents," primarily attacks, have been reported in the region, resulting in at least 25 sailors losing their lives.
Families' Pain and Suffering
Pandiselvi, 45, from her one-bedroom home in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India, says, "We cannot bear this pain." She adds, "No one needs to be told how a parent feels when they lose their child. We urge everyone involved in this matter to please help us."
The Kumar family incurred significant debt to allow him to complete his maritime training and achieve his dream of working as a sailor. After signing a six-month contract, he was suddenly found in Iran while expecting to work in Dubai.
Other families of missing sailors are also anxiously and sorrowfully seeking answers. Haider Rahman al-Mayahi, a 22-year-old Iraqi sailor, was also on these two ships, and his family traveled to Iran for information.
The Iraqi government announced in May that it is monitoring the disappearance of these two ships and has not received any emergency signals. Available information indicates that the last position of the ships was recorded 8 nautical miles from Kish Island, Iran, on May 9.
Khaled Saad al-Thaalibi, head of the Iraqi Maritime Foundation in Basra, stated, "We currently do not know whether the ships have sunk or been seized by a country."
Many families are also facing financial concerns; the Kumar family borrowed about 1.5 million Indian rupees (equivalent to $16,000) for him to complete his training and are now struggling under heavy financial pressure.
Read more: U.S. Government Deems the Likelihood of Resuming War with Iran Low · The Importance of Extended Family in Combating Loneliness
