India repatriated 29 seafarers from the Gulf region in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of evacuated personnel to 2,829, even as the government on Wednesday moved to counter misinformation over a viral claim of a sharp fuel price hike.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, said all Indian vessels and crew in the Persian Gulf are being closely monitored and remain safe.
“All Indian seafarers are safe in the region. In the last 24 hours, there has been no report of any incident related to Indian-flagged vessels,” he said.
Mangal added that the government has facilitated the safe return of 2,829 seafarers so far, with 29 brought back in the past day. He said the Directorate General of Shipping control room has been actively assisting seafarers and their families, handling a large volume of distress calls and queries.
Officials said the helpline has received around 8,000 calls and 17,000 emails to date, including 114 calls and 276 emails in the last 24 hours.
The update comes amid continued tensions in West Asia, with uncertainty persisting over negotiations between the United States and Iran, although a temporary ceasefire remains in place beyond the April 21 deadline.
Also read: Indian airlines warn they may be forced to halt operations
Govt debunks viral fuel price hike claim
Separately, the government dismissed as fake a viral social media post claiming a steep increase in petrol and diesel prices.
The fact-check unit of the Press Information Bureau clarified that no such order has been issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the circulating document is fabricated.
The viral message falsely claimed that petrol prices had been increased by ₹10 per litre and diesel by ₹12.50.
“This order is fake. The Government of India has not issued any such order,” the PIB Fact Check said, warning users against believing or forwarding the claim.
The clarification came as the message gained traction across social media platforms, raising concerns over the spread of misinformation on issues directly affecting the public.
Authorities stressed that any official decision regarding fuel prices is communicated only through authorised and verified channels, urging citizens to rely solely on government sources for accurate information.
The government also called on social media users to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing it and to flag suspicious posts.
Reiterating its advisory, the PIB said unchecked circulation of unverified claims can create unnecessary panic and confusion, and emphasised the need for public vigilance in curbing misinformation.
Officials underlined that responsible information sharing is critical, particularly at a time when both international developments and domestic issues are under close public scrutiny.
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