N Korean ship detained off Kerala coast

A North Korean ship, sailing from Colombo to a Pakistani port, has been detained by the Coast Guard and the Navy after it was found anchored in Indian territorial waters off Vatakara coast without mandatory permission.

The ship, Hyang Ro, was detained on Friday after it was found anchored in suspicious circumstances about 35 km off Vatakara coast, a Coast Guard Commandant at Beypore, near here, said.

All its 44 crew, who were North Koreans, were being questioned, Commandant Sri Kumar said. Navy PRO in Kochi, Commander Roy Francis, said, “The vessel had entered Indian waters without mandatory clearances from the authorities. They (crew members) stated that they had anchored there because of an internal leak in a tank. We are investigating”.

A senior Coastguard official in Kozhikode said, “The ship has been surrounded and detained by two Coastguard ships and a Navy vessel. The crew is being questioned.” “The operation was joined in by police and state Marine Enforcement Force also,” he said.

The vessel, owned by Sinhung Shipping of North Korea, was sailing from Colombo to the Pakistani port of Bin Khasim near Karachi, he said.

The information about the ship was received from local fishermen.

A joint team consisting of personnel from the Navy, the Coast Guard, police and intelligence agencies have started inspection of the ship, official sources said.

Coastal patrolling had been stepped up in the state in the wake of Mumbai terror attack and as part of these measures, Coastal Vigilance Councils with participation of fisher folk had been set up across the state.