Bhadrak: The distressed family of 22-year-old Sarthak Mohapatra, a deck cadet from Odisha’s Bhadrak district, has appealed for assistance from Indian authorities following his mysterious disappearance aboard a merchant vessel in Mauritian waters.
According to reports and family accounts shared across social media, Sarthak, employed as a cadet by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, was serving on the EA Jersey when he went missing on February 3. He was last seen entering his cabin around 6:15 am that morning. When he failed to appear during a routine check, the ship was slowed down, alarms were raised and an extensive search was immediately launched across the ship. Crew members scoured every corner of the vessel, but despite repeated efforts, Sarthak could not be found.
The ship authorities immediately informed his family in Odisha and alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mauritius to initiate search and rescue operations.
His parents, devastated by the sudden turn of events, have sought assistance from the Indian government, Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Shipping for a thorough investigation and immediate rescue efforts. “The ship in which Sarthak was serving was sailing from China to West Africa. While the ship was near Singapore, he spoke to me and his friends on Monday. We are devastated at his disappearance and request the central and state governments to intervene urgently. We have written emails appealing to the Odisha government and the DGCA to rescue my son and bring him back home safely to Odisha,” his mother Rashmita Mohapatra told a local channel.
