Mangalore: 'Den Den' Crew Homeward-bound, at Long Last
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Mangalore, Sep 25: It is after 3 months of hotel confinement that a group of 14 sailors of the ill-fated ‘Den Den’ ship that sank here have begun their journey to motherland on Tuesday, September 25.
File pic of DenDen in the stage of sinking
The ship ‘Den Den’ had sunk at Tannirbavi beach, off New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) in the Arabian Sea, on June 23. Out of the 24 sailors, three had died before they could swim to the shore. Later, the other 21 had been confined in a hotel in the city for over 3 months under police watch. They were not being allowed to go out nor to leave for their country.
The delay in executing an indemnity bond by Eritrean government, the ship owner/shipping company and government caused the hardships to the crew. The bond binds the owners to clear the wreckage from the sea.
Daijiworld exclusive pics of the crew confined in the hotel
After a long bureaucratic process, 13 Eritrean and a Sri Lankan sailor set on their journey to their respective motherlands on Tuesday, September 25 morning. They have already reached Mumbai and now await their onward journey. The remaining 7 sailors, including the captain, Abraham Kwaw, will leave on September 27, sources said. There are three Ghanaians, three Pakistanis and a Sudanese national.
After the paper work was completed, the marine and mercantile department had instructed the district authorities to allow them to return to their homelands.
Chang Le Men:
The Chinese freighter ‘Chang Le Men’, which had listed about 16 degree in its axis on September 6, very close to the spot where Den Den had capsized, has now been restored to the original position, sources said.
File pic of Chang Le Men
The ship had tilted and grounded near Tannirbavi sea shore because of loading imbalance. Later it was saved from sinking by pumping out the excess water and balancing the cargo in it. The hull of the ship was damaged when it was grounded. However, 90% of repairs on the hull have been completed and it will get ready to sail within few days, said Ravindran Nair of Atlantic Shipping Company, their local shipping agent.
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Watch exclusive video clips of Den Den tragedy...
Camera work: Austin Pinto
Co-ordination: Gladson D'Almeida
Editing: Utham Kanyoor
Asst: Keshav
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