Efforts being made to locate missing ship off Africa: India

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (File Photo)

New Delhi :  All efforts are being made to trace the merchant ship that went missing near west Africa with 22 Indians onboard, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday.

The ship, an oil tanker owned by Mumbai-based Anglo Eastern shipping company, is presumed to be missing off Benin coast in the Gulf of Guinea.

“Merchant Ship Marine Express with 22 Indian nationals is missing off the Coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea. We are making all out efforts in coordination with Nigerian and Benin naval authorities to trace the missing ship,” Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet.

The minister also shared the number of a 24 hours helpline which can be used to inquire about the missing people – +234-9070343860.

Earlier, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had tweeted that Indian Mission in Abuja, Nigeria, is in touch with the authorities in Benin and Nigeria for their help in locating the ship and is constantly monitoring the situation.

IANS