Published Jun 14, 2026 | 2:10 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2026 | 2:10 PM
Crew of the ship said that they have been keeping cold water bottles over the sailor's body to slow down the decomposition.
Synopsis: An Indian national passed away due to medical complications on board MT Celestial at Duqm Port in Oman. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India said that the body of 35-year-old Uirthanathan, who died on 11 June, has been remaining onboard for more than two days without proper refrigeration.
An Indian national passed away due to medical complications on board MT Celestial at Duqm Port in Oman, said the Embassy of India in Muscat on Saturday, 13 June.
According to the Embassy’s post on X, the mortal remains of Nishanth Uirthanathan are currently on the tanker.
“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,” it said in an X post.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said that the body of 35-year-old Uirthanathan, who died on 11 June, has been remaining onboard for more than two days without proper refrigeration.
“Crew is using cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to slow decomposition – a horrifying and health-risking situation,” the union said, sharing a video it said was from the tanker.
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On Sunday, the Embassy of India in Muscat said it remains in close touch with the family members of Uirthanathan, crew members of the vessel and the authorities concerned. “Efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains,” it said.
FSUI said Uirthanathan fell ill on 8 June and died around 6 pm on 11 June and alleged that attempts to secure medical treatment and an emergency evacuation for him were unsuccessful.
It said communication services at Duqm Port were disrupted during this period and called for an inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
FSUI President Bankim Bharti also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent attention to the rapidly deteriorating security situation at Shinas Anchorage and the surrounding Outer Port Limit (OPL) areas in the Sultanate of Oman.
“This location has emerged as one of the most sensitive and high-risk zones for merchant vessels, particularly vessels with Indian or Indian-interest tankers, due to ongoing regional military tensions and conflict-related activities in the Gulf,” he said.
Responding to the situation, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Union governemnt is ignoring the lives and safety of its citizens.
“In the regime of the compromised PM, being an Indian means utter ruin. Foreign powers kill our citizens. Our government quietly obeys orders like an obedient servant—and our citizens are left to rot. Bring this Indian home. Now,” he said in a post on X.
