🚨 In a high-stakes humanitarian operation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is mobilizing a major evacuation plan for thousands of seafarers trapped in one of the world's most dangerous waterways.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez outlined the urgent situation this week, revealing that approximately 20,000 sailors are stranded aboard an estimated 1,600 commercial vessels in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis, now in its eighth week, has created a logistical and safety nightmare.
"The situation is critical," Dominguez told member states. "For the evacuation to proceed, all parties involved in the conflict would need to agree to refrain from attacks on maritime assets during the operation."
💥 A Rising Toll:
The IMO has verified 29 attacks on vessels since the conflict began, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 seafarers and significant damage to multiple ships. Several vessels have also been seized and detained in the region recently.
🛳️ The Evacuation Blueprint:
The planned rescue operation involves compiling a list of affected vessels and prioritizing them based on humanitarian need. The IMO intends to use the existing Traffic Separation Scheme as a designated evacuation corridor—but only once firm safety guarantees are secured. The organization is actively engaging with Iran and Oman, which have been coordinating transit in the area.
Dominguez issued a stark warning: "There is no safe transit anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz." He highlighted the persistent threat of mines and further attacks, urging maximum caution from all parties.
⏳ A Race Against Time:
With supplies of water, food, and fuel on the stranded ships expected to run short, the humanitarian clock is ticking. The IMO is calling on flag states, NGOs, industry bodies, and seafarers' home countries to provide immediate remote support, helplines, and assistance in communicating with anxious families back home.
The operation underscores the often-overlooked human element of global trade and conflict. As the world watches, the fate of 20,000 souls hangs in the balance, awaiting a safe passage home. 🌊✊
Reference(s):
IMO readies evacuation plan for seafarers in Strait of Hormuz
cgtn.com
