N-scientists to search Iraq-bound N Korean ship

The seized North Korean ship is being brought to Kakinada port in Andhra Pradesh where central security agencies and nuclear scientists will carry out an extensive search of the vessel M V Mu San intercepted off Andaman and Nicobar coast while awaiting clearance to proceed to Iraq.

The ship's 39-member crew, which also includes a North Korean government official would be questioned in the port itself, official sources said.

The sources said presence of a government official in a merchant vessel has aroused suspicions. The questioning of the crew got delayed due to non-availability of a Korean interpreter, they said, adding this was a unique ship where none were fluent in English language. A lady interpreter was despatched by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.

During the initial round of questioning of the ship's Captain, which was made possible with the help of a local interpreter in Andaman and Nicobar Island it emerged that the ship, carrying 16,500 metric tones of sugar, was on its way to Iraq after loading in Thailand, the sources said.

The Captain, who spoke in broken English, reportedly said the ship had developed a technical snag and that he had to change the piston besides carrying out some other mechanical work.

The crew was instructed by their handlers to wait for fresh instructions before leaving the Indian waters. The M V Mu San dropped anchor off Hut Bay island in the Andaman islands on August six without permission and was detained by the coastguard after a over six-hour chase.

Image: File photo shows North Korean ship MV Musan anchored near Port Blair.
Photograph: Sanjib Kumar Roy/Reuters