28 rescued Indian sailors of MT Royal Grace and MT Smyrni, which were hijacked by Somalian pirates last year, have safely returned to India on Monday.
One of the sailors expressed his relief and thanked the Government of India for rescuing them after he reached Delhi on Monday.
Sidharth Arora, second officer of MV Royal Grace, said: " Hijacking experience is obviously bad. But we thank the Government and the people of India. We behaved well and they did not harm us. Now our good times have started and we are going to meet our families after 12 months."
Another sailor Saurabh Kumar said, "We suffered too much. There was physical torture. The Somalians were hell on us and no one should go back."
The 17 Indian seafarers on board MT Royal Grace were in captivity since March 2, 2012, while 11 Indian seafarers on board MT Smyrni, a crude oil tanker, were in captivity since May 10 last year.
Smyrni was loaded with 135,000 MT of Azerbaijan crude oil of approximately $130 million market value, destined for refineries in Balikpapan, Indonesia.
Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan had announced last week that the two ships had been freed from pirates, following "coordinated actions of ministries of shipping, external affairs, defense, home affairs, Director General Shipping and other important agencies".
MT Royal Grace reached Salalah port in Muscat on March 13 and MT Smyrni docked there the next day. Both the ships were received by officials of the Indian embassy in Oman.
Embassy officials arranged for doctors to conduct medical check-up and provide necessary assistance to those who needed it.
"A crew member of MT Royal Grace had to be hospitalized due his weak state of health. He has since recovered and is expected to return with most others," the source added.
All crew members were provided new clothing, toiletries and shoes by the embassy.
The seafarers also spoke with their family members.
"Passports where required, exit permits from Omani authorities and necessary ticketing arrangements have been made by the Embassy of India in Muscat."
"The return of these seafarers is a significant milestone in the war against piracy. We remain committed in our resolve and determination to get all of Indian hostages who are still held in captivity released that includes 7 Indian nationals on MT Asphalt Venture and one on MV Al Bedo," the source said.
(with inputs from IANS)
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