India on Friday called for “urgent, practical and time-bound” assistance to 39 stranded Indian sailors on board two ships in Chinese waters considering the “grave humanitarian situation” developing in the vessels.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Indian bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand had been on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13 and it had 23 Indian sailors.

Another vessel, MV Anastasia, with 16 Indian nationals as its crew is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, he said.

Srivastava said both vessels had been awaiting discharge of their cargo and there was growing stress on the crew members on account of the long delay.

“Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously,” he said.

Srivastava said the Indian embassy in Beijing continued to remain in close touch with the Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, adding that the MEA was also following up on the matter.

“We have noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance,” Srivastava said. PTI