NEW DELHI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Five Indian sailors who were part of a 17-member Indian crew on a cargo vessel seized last month by Iran for its Israeli links were released, foreign ministry officials said Friday.

The Indian Embassy in Iran, while sharing details of the release of five Indians, thanked the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with them and the Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.

"Five of the Indian sailors on MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) Aries have been released and departed from Iran this evening. We appreciate the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas," the embassy in a brief statement posted on social media on Thursday night said.

The Iranian military seized the cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz with 17 Indian crew members on board on April 13.

A woman who was part of a 17-member Indian crew returned home on April 18.

Officials said with the release of five more Indians, the number of Indian crew members still aboard the container vessel remains 11.

India's foreign ministry earlier stated its mission in Tehran was in touch with the Indian crew members aboard the container vessel. Enditem

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