ETV Bharat / bharatIndian Seafarer Dies Off Oman After Being 'Denied' Treatment Amid War; Embassy Begins Repatriation ProcessScreengrab of video shared by FSUI shows an extremely unwell Nishanth Uirthanathan before his demise.
( FSUI )Mumbai: A 35-year-old Indian seafarer, Nishanth Uirthanathan, died onboard a vessel off the Oman coast on June 11 after falling ill and allegedly receiving no medical treatment amid ongoing missile strikes and security issues.
They keep global trade moving but face neglect in medical care & repatriation amid conflicts they have nothing to do with.
“Despite repeated requests for assistance, the deceased remains onboard.
We have repeatedly been told to arrange and contact the local agent even though this is the responsibility of the vessel management and owners,” he said.
ETV Bharat / bharat
Indian Seafarer Dies Off Oman After Being 'Denied' Treatment Amid War; Embassy Begins Repatriation Process
Screengrab of video shared by FSUI shows an extremely unwell Nishanth Uirthanathan before his demise. ( FSUI )
Mumbai: A 35-year-old Indian seafarer, Nishanth Uirthanathan, died onboard a vessel off the Oman coast on June 11 after falling ill and allegedly receiving no medical treatment amid ongoing missile strikes and security issues.
The Indian embassy in Muscat on Saturday evening said it has been in continuous contact with the ship management company and is coordinating with all concerned stakeholders.
"Necessary arrangements are being made for the early repatriation of the mortal remains to India," the embassy said in a post on X, as it conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said the Second Officer on MT Celestial didn’t receive timely medical support. “Two days later, mortal remains remain onboard without proper preservation. Port Duqm, Oman, has shut down WiFi/comms, with authorities unresponsive,” it posted on X on Saturday.
Expressing serious concern over the plight of seafarers, the FSUI wrote, “Who cares for seafarers? They keep global trade moving but face neglect in medical care & repatriation amid conflicts they have nothing to do with. Demand urgent action for evacuation, body preservation & dignified return. RIP to all lost souls.”
The captain of the vessel, Capt. Rajendra Yadav, corroborated the information, saying the Tamil Nadu native Uirthanathan fell ill but was denied treatment due to ongoing strikes.
“Despite repeated requests for assistance, the deceased remains onboard. The body has been onboard for the last 3 days and has started decomposing, causing severe emotional distress to the crew and raising serious health and humanitarian concerns,” Yadav said in a letter shared by FSUI with ETV Bharat.
He accused the vessel’s owners, Romana Ship Management Co Ltd, and their local agent of ignoring requests for help. “Despite contacting port control multiple times, we have received no practical assistance. We have repeatedly been told to arrange and contact the local agent even though this is the responsibility of the vessel management and owners,” he said.
The captain also accused the company of denying effective support or coordination to resolve this humanitarian emergency.
