Indian Sailor Dies Aboard Tanker At Oman’s Duqm Port After Repeated Ignored Calls By US Navy

An Indian seafarer has died after falling ill aboard the tanker MT Celestial near Oman, with Indian authorities now working to bring his body back home.

The deceased has been identified as Nishanth Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old Second Officer from Tamil Nadu. According to the Indian Embassy in Muscat, he died due to medical complications while serving aboard the vessel.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy said it has been in continuous contact with the ship’s management company, local authorities and port officials to facilitate the repatriation process.

“The Embassy remains in active coordination with local Omani authorities, port officials and the shipping company regarding Mr. Nishanth Uirthanathan, who unfortunately died onboard MT Celestial due to medical conditions,” the mission said.

The vessel later arrived at Duqm Port, where Omani authorities completed the required procedures.

The embassy confirmed that Uirthanathan’s body was disembarked from the vessel and transferred to the Ministry of Health Hospital in Duqm.

Officials are now working with his family and the Omani authorities to arrange the earliest possible return of his remains to India.

According to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), Uirthanathan became seriously ill on June 8 and died on June 11 despite efforts by the crew to obtain medical assistance.

The union claimed that his condition worsened over several days and that attempts were made to secure emergency medical evacuation. It also alleged that his body remained onboard the vessel for nearly two days after his death.

FSUI has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether timely medical assistance was provided.

A report by Sputnik India, citing an incident report signed by the ship’s captain, said the crew repeatedly sought assistance after Uirthanathan fell ill.

According to the report, crew members made repeated calls on VHF Channel 16 to the US Navy to update them on the officer’s condition but allegedly received no response.

The report further stated that the vessel headed towards Duqm Port and requested medical evacuation as his health deteriorated.

The crew coordinated with port authorities for a rescue operation, but Uirthanathan lost consciousness and later stopped breathing before any helicopter evacuation could take place.

These claims have not been publicly addressed by the US Navy.

MT Celestial was also involved in a separate incident last month.

On May 20, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and searched the Iranian-flagged tanker on suspicion that it was attempting to violate a US blockade linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

The vessel was later released after the inspection and instructed to alter its course, according to CENTCOM.

Reports citing the ship’s management company, Romana Ship Management, said the vessel was advised to proceed towards Oman following the search. The company denied any wrongdoing.

There is no indication from official sources that the earlier US inspection was connected to Uirthanathan’s medical emergency.

The incident has raised concerns about access to medical care for seafarers working on ships far from shore.

India has more than 300,000 seafarers serving on vessels worldwide, with over 18,000 employed in the Middle East, according to government figures.

References: India Today, Financial Express