Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu working in Iran and other West Asia countries have been left stranded as the ongoing war in the region disrupts maritime operations and transportation routes, raising concerns among their families in coastal districts of the state.
The conflict has led to the temporary closure of ports and airports in Iran, severely restricting movement and preventing evacuation efforts. The disruption has left families of the fishermen anxious as uncertainty continues over when they will be able to return home.
Data from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department shows that around 593 fishermen from the state are currently employed on fishing vessels and maritime-related jobs in Iran and neighbouring countries. Many of them originate from coastal districts such as Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, and Cuddalore, where overseas fishing employment has become a significant source of income for local communities.
Families in these districts have been seeking updates about the safety of their relatives as news of the conflict dominates international headlines. Fisheries department representatives indicated that while fishermen working abroad have not issued direct distress calls, relatives in Tamil Nadu have approached authorities seeking information and assistance.
The escalating situation has complicated efforts to bring stranded workers back. Iranian authorities have temporarily closed air and sea routes as part of security measures linked to the conflict, limiting travel in and out of the country and preventing immediate evacuation operations.
The Embassy of India in Iran is monitoring developments and providing assistance to Indian nationals currently in the country. Contact details including helpline numbers and email addresses have been circulated to help Indians maintain communication with embassy officials and receive support if required.
The issue has also reached the Madras High Court, where relatives of two fishermen from Kanniyakumari district, R. Sahaya Jenish Raj and J. Judelin, filed petitions before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking assistance in bringing them back from Iran.
During the hearing, the Government of India informed the court that evacuation could not be carried out at present due to the closure of both air and maritime routes. However, the government indicated that the Indian Embassy is extending necessary assistance to stranded citizens.
After recording the submission, the court disposed of the petitions and advised the petitioners to provide complete details of the fishermen to embassy authorities to facilitate further coordination.
Meanwhile, the matter has also been raised at the national level. C. Robert Bruce, Member of Parliament from Tirunelveli, met S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, in New Delhi and urged the central government to take steps to rescue 43 fishermen from Idinthakarai village who are believed to be stranded in Iran.
With transportation routes suspended and the conflict showing no immediate signs of easing, families in Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts continue to await updates on the safety and return of their relatives working in the region.
