Seized North Korean ship moved to Andhra Coast for interrogation

New Delhi, Aug 12 (ANI): The seized North Korean ship MV Mu San 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.

The MV Mu San was intercepted off the Andaman and Nicobar coast while awaiting clearance to proceed to Iraq.

The Indian Coast Guard detained the vessel that dropped anchor at Hut Bay on August 6 without the permission of Indian authorities after a six-hour chase.

Sources said the security agencies would interrogate all the 39-crew members including a North Korean Government official.

The presence of a government official in a merchant ship has raised suspicions about the vessel, sources said.

The interrogation of the crewmembers was delayed due to the non-availability of the Korean language translator.

The Ministry of External Affairs has deputed a translator to assist the interrogation.

During the initial round of questioning the ship's captain, claimed that his vessel was carrying 16,500 metric tones of sugar, and was on its way to Iraq after loading in Thailand.

He reportedly said the ship had developed a technical snag and had to change the piston besides carrying out some other mechanical repairs. (ANI)