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Nepali Seafarer Detained by Iran in Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional War

The Nepal government confirmed the detention of a Nepali national, Amrit Jha, by Iranian authorities after they took control of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This occurs as Iran has shut this critical maritime choke point, escalating regional tensions involving the US and Israel. The conflict has already resulted in the death of one Nepali citizen and injuries to 30 others across West Asia. With safety a major concern, approximately 6,000 of the over 1.7 million Nepalis in the region have applied for government assistance to return home.

Key Points: Nepal Confirms National Detained by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

  • Nepali national detained in Hormuz
  • Iran shut key oil passage
  • 1 Nepali killed, 30 injured in conflict
  • 6,000 Nepalis seek to return home
  • Over 1.7 million Nepalis in region
2 min read

Nepali detained by Iran amid Hormuz crisis

A Nepali national working on a ship has been detained by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, raising safety concerns for millions of Nepali migrants in West Asia.

"Jha, who was working aboard a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, was detained when Iranian armed forces took control of the ship along with the entire crew - Ramkaji Khadka"

Kathmandu, March 20

The Nepal government on Friday confirmed that a Nepali national working aboard a vessel navigating the maritime corridor of the Strait of Hormuz has been detained by the Iranian authorities amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

The news of Nepali national Amrit Jha's detention has surfaced at a time when Iran has shut the usually busy maritime choke point of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the world's oil passes. With millions of Nepali nationals residing in West Asia - most of them migrant workers in Gulf states-their safety has become a major concern for Nepal, especially as the region faces retaliatory attacks by Iran following joint strikes by the US and Israel.

"Jha, who was working aboard a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, was detained when Iranian armed forces took control of the ship along with the entire crew," said Ramkaji Khadka, Joint Secretary (West Asia Division) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press meet on Friday.

He said that Jha's detention was confirmed after his family alerted Nepali authorities. Since the war broke out on February 28, one Nepali national has been confirmed killed and 30 others have sustained minor injuries in various countries across West Asia, according to the ministry.

The Nepali government has already confirmed that a Nepali youth, Diwas Shrestha from the western district of Gorkha, was killed during a drone interception operation at Zayed International Airport in the UAE.

With the ongoing war in West Asia showing no signs of ending anytime soon, at least 6,000 Nepalis living and working in the region have applied to return home, citing safety concerns, the ministry said. More than 1.7 million Nepalis are residing across 12 countries in the region, according to official data.

Of the 82,100 Nepalis who updated their details in an online rescue tracking system launched by the government, about 6,000 have sought assistance to return home, said ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri.

The Department of Consular Services under the ministry launched the online registration system to collect updated information and assess assistance needs of Nepali nationals in the region amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The Strait of Hormuz is a global flashpoint. When major powers clash, it's always the ordinary workers and sailors from countries like Nepal, India, and the Philippines who suffer the most. This crisis affects global oil prices and security far beyond the region.
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Priyanka N
Heartbreaking to read about Diwas Shrestha's death. So many South Asian migrants are the invisible backbone of those economies. 1.7 million Nepalis in West Asia... that's an entire city. Their safety should be an international priority, not an afterthought.
A
Aman W
The online tracking system is a good step by the Nepal government. But it's reactive. Our own MEA has similar advisories for Indians in the region. We need better pre-departure briefings and stronger consular networks to protect our people working abroad. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while the government is trying, the response feels slow. 6,000 people want to come home *now*. The process needs to be faster. These are human lives, not statistics. Hope Amrit Jha is released soon and receives proper support.
M
Michael C
This shows how interconnected global security is. A conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran directly impacts a Nepali sailor on a ship. It disrupts trade, endangers lives worldwide, and creates a refugee crisis. Diplomacy is the only way out.

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