They were received by Union minister Piyush Goyal and TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran at Chennai airport. Photo by R Ramesh Shankar CHENNAI: A total of 348 Indian citizens from different parts of Tamil Nadu and its neighbouring states, stranded in Iran for more than a month since a war broke out in West Asia, landed in Chennai in a special flight arranged from Armenia by the Indian embassy officials.Of the 348 passengers, 327 were Tamils, five were from Puducherry, while 10 were from Kerala. Most of the Tamils were natives of Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam districts and were working as fishermen in Iran. They were received by Union minister Piyush Goyal and TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and were sent to their respective towns in special buses.The returnees said they were unsure of their destiny till the very moment they landed in Tamil Nadu.Peter Blacian, 46, of Kanyakumari, said they hardly slept in the last month due to continuous explosions at closer proximity every single day. “It is very hard to explain how we felt. We had very little hope,” he said. Peter Blacian, along with 22 others as a team, was employees of Kish Island in Bandar Abbas and their primary job was to venture into the sea for fishing.Though the employers supported them with food after the onset of the war-like situation in Iran, they had to pay from their own pocket to leave their workplace for a dangerous 18-hour journey by bus to Qom city, where the Indian embassy officials received them.”From there, the embassy took care of us well with proper food and accommodation and further travel to Armenia via Julfar,” he said. Aneesh Raja, 34, another Kanyakumari native, said he had gone to Iran just three months ago and never expected that he would have to return home in such a crisis. “We went all the way to work as fishermen in Iran for better income, but now future looks bleak,” he said.You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rate Today in Chennai | Silver Rate Today in ChennaiAbout the AuthorVenkadesan SVenkadesan S is a Special Correspondent who primarily covers electricity, aviation, the information commission, central investigation agencies, and metro rail.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool PakistanIndia Buys Iranian Oil After 7 Years, No Payment Hurdles Reported“Violation Of Article 21”: Owaisi Slams UCC, Says It Interferes With Religious FreedomAmid Strait Of Hormuz Tensions, Iran Calls India A ‘Cherished Partner’ As Ships Transit Safely‘Three Allegations, Zero Truth’: Raghav Chadha Counters AAP After Shock Deputy Leader Snub‘Came Through Solidly’: S Jaishankar Flags Global Risks, Says India Emerged Resilient Amid CrisisIran War, LPG Crisis Row Expose Congress Rift As Leaders Counter Rahul Gandhi’s Stand OpenlyIndia Navigates Hormuz Crisis With New Route As UN Resolution On Shipping Hits Major Roadblock123Photostories7 pricey ingredients you can easily make at homeLord Ganesha mantras that you should chant everyday’Friends’, ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘The Office’ and more: Iconic TV quotes and catchphrases that became a part of everyday lifeFive funniest sitcom characters ever: George Costanza, Michael Scott and moreEarly cancer symptoms that often feel harmless: Warning signs people ignore and when to see a doctorTop 5 areas in Kochi for residential living and property investment11 iconic Indian dishes that have a cult following across the country7 Paulo Coelho quotes that will change the way you think about love6 simple hacks to reduce your induction cooking billBuying your first diamond? 5 golden rules you absolutely need to know123Hot PicksPakistan Petrol CrisisRuturaj GaikwadKick StreamerShashi TharoorStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingAllahabad High CourtOrissa High CourtTamil nadu pollsBengal PollsAnil RathodToll PaymentRaghav ChaddaHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news
CHENNAI: A total of 348 Indian citizens from different parts of Tamil Nadu and its neighbouring states, stranded in Iran for more than a month since a war broke out in West Asia, landed in Chennai in a special flight arranged from Armenia by the Indian embassy officials.Of the 348 passengers, 327 were Tamils, five were from Puducherry, while 10 were from Kerala. Most of the Tamils were natives of Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam districts and were working as fishermen in Iran. They were received by Union minister Piyush Goyal and TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and were sent to their respective towns in special buses.The returnees said they were unsure of their destiny till the very moment they landed in Tamil Nadu.Peter Blacian, 46, of Kanyakumari, said they hardly slept in the last month due to continuous explosions at closer proximity every single day. “It is very hard to explain how we felt. We had very little hope,” he said. Peter Blacian, along with 22 others as a team, was employees of Kish Island in Bandar Abbas and their primary job was to venture into the sea for fishing.Though the employers supported them with food after the onset of the war-like situation in Iran, they had to pay from their own pocket to leave their workplace for a dangerous 18-hour journey by bus to Qom city, where the Indian embassy officials received them.“From there, the embassy took care of us well with proper food and accommodation and further travel to Armenia via Julfar,” he said. Aneesh Raja, 34, another Kanyakumari native, said he had gone to Iran just three months ago and never expected that he would have to return home in such a crisis. “We went all the way to work as fishermen in Iran for better income, but now future looks bleak,” he said.
