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An Indian national died due to medical complications aboard a vessel currently docked at Duqm Port in Oman.
Nishanth Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old Second Officer from Tamil Nadu, fell seriously ill while onboard the vessel and died on June 11.
A day after issuing an urgent appeal for assistance, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), a body representing Indian seafarers globally, on Sunday said that no vessel or rescue boat had arrived to retrieve the mortal remains of an Indian sailor who died due to illness aboard a vessel off the coast of Oman.
In a fresh update posted on social media platform X, 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 wrote.
The latest statement comes a day after 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.
Embassy Says Repatriation Efforts Underway
On Saturday, the embassy said that an Indian national, Nishanth Uirthanathan, 35, had passed away due to medical complications and that his mortal remains were onboard MT Celestial at Duqm Port.
“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 embassy’s response came after the incident gained attention on social media following appeals by the seafarers’ union and fellow crew members.
#MTCelestial (off Oman coast)35-year-old Second Officer Nishanth Uirthanathan (Tamil Nadu) passed away on June 11 after falling seriously ill. His body has remained onboard for over 2 days with no proper refrigeration. Crew is using cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to… pic.twitter.com/hPzGh9St9U— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) June 13, 2026
According to FSUI, Nishanth Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old 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.
Crew Using Cold Water Bottles To Preserve Dead Body
In its earlier appeal, FSUI highlighted the difficult conditions faced by the crew following the officer’s death. The union 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.
The union also shared a video 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,” FSUI said.
The organisation further 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.
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