New Delhi: China has released 23 Indian
nationals, who were crew members of a Hong Kong-registered
cargo ship which collided with another vessel, following
massive efforts from Indian mission in Beijing.
The release of the Indian nationals, detained since
May this year for questioning about the accident, comes ahead
of the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao mid of next
month and is seen as a "warm gesture" here.
MV Bright Century, carrying iron, sank on May 2, 2010
after colliding with a Liberia-registered `Sea Success`.
Century had crew of 23, all Indians, captained by Parshant
Vats and all of them were rescued.
These people were detained for questioning about the
accident but there was no mistreatment and they were put up in
hotel, sources told PTI.
They said while the Chinese authorities have decided
to go ahead with a case against the vessel owner, the crew
members were released last week following massive efforts by
Indian mission in Beijing for there release.
"The release is a warm gesture to the people of
India," the sources said.
PTI
