Indian sailor dies from medical complications aboard tanker in Oman

An Indian national has died from medical complications while aboard the MT Celestial vessel, which was docked at Duqm Port in Oman. The Indian embassy in Muscat confirmed the death late Saturday and stated that necessary arrangements are being made for the swift repatriation of the mortal remains to India.

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Necessary arrangements are being made for the early repatriation of the mortal remains to India.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened concerns for Indian seafarers. Government data indicates that over 300,000 Indian nationals work in global shipping fleets, with more than 18,000 employed in the Middle East. The death aboard the MT Celestial follows closely on the heels of another tragic event where three Indian seafarers were killed in a U.S. strike on a tanker off the coast of Oman.

That earlier incident prompted significant public criticism and calls from opposition parties for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump. India has lodged a second protest with the U.S. regarding the strike, which occurred more than three months into the U.S.-Israeli conflict involving Iran. India's foreign ministry summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires to express "deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping."

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Crew is using cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to slow decomposition - a horrifying and health-risking situation.

Adding to the distress, the Forward Seamen's Union of India reported that the body of 35-year-old Nishanth Uirthanathan, who died on June 11, remained onboard the tanker for over two days without adequate refrigeration. The union shared a video purportedly from the tanker, describing the crew's desperate use of cold water bottles in an attempt to slow decomposition, calling it a "horrifying and health-risking situation."

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its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping.