More than 3,000 Pakistani seafarers have received distress calls from ships caught in conflict zones around the world.

The situation is most dire for a group of crew members of the ‘Bolivian Agrega’, which was hit by Iranian missiles while en route to the United Arab Emirates, the ship’s owner said on Wednesday, confirming they had received several emergency messages from those onboard.

They are reported stranded in the Gulf of Oman amid escalating tensions between Iran and a US-led coalition targeting Iranian forces.

The sailors are currently being cared for by Pakistan’s naval hospital until they can be safely repatriated to their home country, according to officials who confirmed that some of those stranded were crew members of ships also operated by Pakistani companies.

The maritime industry is calling on the international community to increase support and resources for its personnel caught up in global conflicts.