Pics: Arif Machampady
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Oct 28: Mohammed Hanif (35), son of Abdullal Kunhi and Rukhiya couple, residing near Jumma Masjid in Uppala Peringadi in the district, and Avinash (25), son of Kumar and Shyamala couple from Manjeshwar Hosangady, reached home safely on Wednesday October 26. The two, who had started working as assistant cooks in the ill-fated Iranian ship, ‘Syntek’ recently, have managed to survive the ordeal and reach the cosy environs of their homes.
Both said that prayers of their parents and the grace of the Lord had saved them from the jaws of death. The ship they were working for had begun its journey from Tehran, capital of Iran, to Assaloyeh, another port in the country. A few hours before reaching Assaloyeh, the ship sank all of a sudden for unknown reasons at around 5.30 IST on October 20.
Avinash with his mother
Hanief with his father
Hanif says that the ship sank because of the wind that was blowing at 45 km per hour. He revealed that he was performing Namaaz at the time, and that he survived because of a life jacket handed over to him by an Australian. Avinash said he was working in the kitchen located in the basement of the ship. He escaped in a life raft within eight minutes the ship took to submerge, and was picked up by a fishing boat which came that way two hours later. Both of them reached the shore at about 8.30 pm, after which they were admitted into a hospital. After that they were ferried to Tehran, and then to Mumbai by flight.
Out of 73 persons who were travelling in the boat, 60 managed to survive. The 13 who lost their lives include seven divers from India, five Iranians, and a citizen of Ukraine.
Both the survivors are worried about the fact that all their papers including certificates relating to educational qualification got lost in the accident. Avinash reached home on Wednesday morning from Mumbai, while Hanif, on Wednesday evening.