The boat capsized during what authorities described as a routine transfer of crewmembers to the tanker anchored offshore. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Published Oct 18, 2025 | 8:11 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2025 | 8:11 PM
The service boat was ferrying 14 crewmen to a tanker anchored off Port Beira when it capsized during a transfer operation. (Indian Navy)
Synopsis: The Indian High Commission said that search and rescue efforts were underway. The Mission has been coordinating with local authorities regarding the five missing Indians. A Consular Officer from the Mission is in Beira and visited the Indian national receiving medical attention in the hospital. Five other Indians have been rescued.
Two young men from Kerala are among five Indians reported missing after a service boat ferrying 14 crewmen capsized during a transfer operation off the Beira port in Central Mozambique on Friday, 17 October.
The Indian High Commission in Mozambique has confirmed that three Indian nationals have died in the accident, while six others — including one Malayali — have been rescued.
The missing Keralites have been identified as Indrajith, a native of Piravom, Veliyanad, in Ernakulam, and Srirag Radhakrishnan from Thevalakkara in Kollam district.
Search and rescue operations are continuing in the waters off Beira amid challenging weather conditions.
The High Commission, in a statement, said: “Search and rescue efforts are underway. Mission is coordinating with local authorities regarding the five missing Indians. We convey our heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives, including those of three Indian nationals, in a boat accident off Beira port. A Consular Officer from the Mission is in Beira and has visited the Indian national receiving medical attention in the hospital. Five other Indians have been rescued.”
For emergency information, the Mission has shared the following contact numbers:
+258-870087401 (mobile)
+258-821207788 (mobile)
+258-871753920 (WhatsApp)
Indrajith, who completed a diploma in mechanical engineering, has been working in ship repair for the past year. He had travelled to Mozambique just days ago for what was expected to be a short assignment.
His father, KN Santosh, also works in the shipping sector and had flown to South Africa at the same time. It is said that Indrajith had sent a message to his mother, Sheena, after landing, saying he was on his way to board a boat at Beira port.
Indrajith’s friend Akash, a native of Konni, who was also on the ill-fated boat, was among those rescued.
Relatives said Indrajith’s last message to them was to call him after work. “It’s believed that he and others may be trapped inside the cabin of the sunken boat. Divers are trying to raise it despite rough weather,” a relative told reporters.
Indrajith joined a private marine and engineering services company in Kochi nine months ago and has carried out safety inspections of over 20 ships in countries including Turkiye.
Srirag Radhakrishnan has been working on the ship, Marshall Islands-flagged Sea Quest, for the past seven years and has been based in Mozambique for three years.
He had returned to work just days ago after spending time with his family in Thevalakkara. The 35-year-old man‘s family consists of his wife Jithu and two young children — Anaswara (9) and Athi (5).
“We spoke to him just before he boarded the boat. We are clinging to hope,” said a family member.
The boat capsized during what authorities described as a routine transfer of crewmembers to the tanker anchored offshore. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The Indian High Commission is coordinating with Mozambican authorities and the shipping company to locate the missing crew members.
At the same time, the Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department are yet to respond to the mishap.
