Dhanya Rajendran | The News Minute | June 18, 2014 | 5.42 pm ISTAmong the 46 nurses stranded in Iraq are three sisters, two of whom are twins from Ettumanoor in Kerala.Speaking to The News Minute, their father Joseph, said that the eldest sister, 27-year-old R is in one of the safer cities, whose name he could not suddenly recollect. The twins S and V are stranded in the Tikrit hospital.Tikrit is one of the cities which have already been taken over by Sunni militants. The twins have been in Iraq for a year and Joseph says he has spoken to them every day in the last few days. “Our children are stranded there, but there is very little we can do for them from here. We are hoping the government will ensure their safe passage.”He said that when he spoke to them on Wednesday morning, the twins said that the International Red Crescent had visited the hospital twice to confirm their safety. “The girls told us that the Indian government and other organizations were working to find a way to arrange transport to the airport in Baghdad.” Joseph said.“The girls say that they can hear heavy fighting outside, and they cant step out of the hospital. We are praying and hoping for their safe return.” Joseph said. He added that though R, the eldest, was safe, she is uncertain if she can travel to Baghdad to return home.(We are withholding the names due to safety concerns)