New Delhi: the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), a body representing Indian seafarers globally, has claimed that no vessel or rescue boat reached the MT Celestial to retrieve the mortal remains of an Indian sailor who died due to illness on board the vessel off the coast of Oman.
The FSUI had, on Saturday, issued an urgent appeal for assistance, after coming to know of the death of the Indian seafarer. It has now claimed that the body is being preserved using cold water bottles.
The union expressed concern over the continued presence of the deceased sailor’s body onboard MT Celestial, despite official assurances that efforts were underway to repatriate the mortal remains.
“Hrs after @Indemb_Muscat No boat has been arrived till now. Communicating the family is one side but taking out the mortal of late Brother Nishant from MT Celestial must on priority,” the FSUI posted on X.
On Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Oman acknowledged the sailor’s death and said it was coordinating with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the early repatriation of his mortal remains.
The Indian national, identified as Nishanth Uirthanathan (35), had passed away due to medical complications and his mortal remains were onboard MT Celestial at Duqm Port, the embassy had said.
“The Embassy has been in continuous contact with the ship management company and is coordinating closely with all concerned stakeholders. Necessary arrangements are being made for the early repatriation of the mortal remains to India. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time,” the embassy said in a statement shared on X.
The FSUI claimed that Uirthanathan, a second officer from Tamil Nadu, fell seriously ill while onboard the vessel and died on June 11. The union alleged that timely medical evacuation was delayed despite repeated distress calls, reportedly amid heightened regional tensions.
The Union, in its earlier post, had highlighted the difficult conditions faced by the crew following the officer’s death. It claimed that the vessel lacked proper refrigeration facilities to preserve the body and that crew members had resorted to using cold water bottles in an attempt to slow decomposition.
A video was also shared by FSUI, purportedly showing the officer’s body wrapped in plastic sheets as crew members attempted to preserve it while awaiting assistance.
“His body has remained onboard for over 2 days with no proper refrigeration. Crew is using cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to slow decomposition – a horrifying and health-risking situation,” the union said.
It called for immediate intervention from authorities, demanding urgent arrangements for body preservation and repatriation, support for the crew, and a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported delays in medical evacuation and post-death response.
