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Stowaways to go back

Nine Iranians, out of 14 stowaways aboard the Italian cargo vessel M V Medstar, berthed off Bombay coast, will be flown back to their country on Friday. Documents identifying their origins reached Bombay on Thursday, P Deorukhar, Manager of Mitsutor Shipping Agency Private Limited, handling the Italian vessel, said.

The others, believed to be Iraqis, are expected to sail along with Medstar by Saturday. "We are awaiting completion of paper work," Deorukhar added. The stowaways, who had resorted to a hunger strike to oppose deportation, began eating food, he said.

An Iranian pierced himself with glass pieces on Thursday. He received medical treatment. His condition has stabilised and he can fly back, he said.

The vessel, which arrived at Bombay port on the night of June 13, escorted by Coast Guard vessels Vigraha and Veera from the Gujarat coast, is berthed off Bombay coast.

The stowaways had clandestinely entered the ship at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on June 8, before it began its journey to Kandla. Later, they took control of the vessel by claiming that they were carrying explosives.

PTI

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