Τhe Greek member of the crew of oil tanker “St. Nicolas” seized by the Iranian Navy on January 11 was released and returned home on Friday afternoon.
The 19-year-old training captain arrived at the Athens International airport in the company of the Greek ambassador in Tehran.
“I feel very touched. I didn’t expect this to end so quickly. I’m happy to be together with my family and in my homeland again” the young sailor told media.
He also thanked the Iranians who, as he said, “behaved excellently and expedited the process of my repatriation” as well as the Greek foreign ministry.
As soon as the news arrived in Athens that Greek-owned St Nicholas was seized and one Greek was among the crew members, the foreign ministry activated all necessary diplomatic and maritime channels to repatriate the young man.
The remaining crew of the oil tanker, that is 18 Filipino sailors, have not been released yet. They remain onboard of the tanker anchored at the port of Badar Abas in Iran, waiting for the diplomatic representation of their country to conclude their repatriation procedures, the company Empire Navigation said on Thursday, in.gr reported.