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🇮🇳 India /Conflict & Security

US attack, sinking ship, death due to illness: A tough week for Indian seafarers near Gulf coast

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Three separate incidents involving Indian seafarers near the Gulf coast resulted in deaths and a sinking ship within a week.
  • An Indian-flagged vessel sank off Oman after engine failure, with all 14 sailors rescued by the US Navy.
  • An Indian national died of medical complications aboard a vessel in Oman, with his union alleging negligence by the shipowner, while three other Indian seafarers were killed in a US tanker attack.

A series of perilous incidents involving Indian seafarers near the Strait of Hormuz has cast a grim shadow over the region's maritime activities. Within a single week, three separate events unfolded: the sinking of an Indian-flagged vessel, the death of an Indian national due to alleged medical neglect, and the deaths of three crew members in an attack on a tanker.

The first incident saw the Indian-flagged merchant vessel Virat 1 suffer engine failure on Sunday morning, approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman. The vessel began sinking, prompting a rescue operation coordinated by the US Navy, which successfully saved all 14 Indian sailors aboard. The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed its awareness of the incident and its collaboration with Omani authorities.

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

— Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI)Describing the conditions aboard the MT Celestial prior to the sailor's death.

Adding to the grim tally, Nishanth Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old Indian national, died from medical complications aboard the vessel MT Celestial, docked at Duqm Port in Oman. The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) criticized the shipowner, alleging that Uirthanathan's death resulted from negligence, including delayed medical attention and evacuation amid regional tensions. The union is demanding a thorough investigation into the response failures and proper handling of the deceased's body.

In a particularly alarming event, three Indian seafarers were killed when the Palau-flagged MT Settebello came under attack by a US aircraft off the coast of Oman. While 25 crew members, including 21 Indians, were rescued by Omani forces, the three seafarers were reported missing and later confirmed dead. India lodged a strong protest with the US over the attack. Two other vessels, MT Marivex and MT Jalveer, also reportedly came under US Navy attack.

FSUI and the captain are urgently demanding body preservation/ repatriation, crew support, and full investigation into the response failures.

— Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI)Stating demands following the death of Nishanth Uirthanathan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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