An Indian national passed away due to medical complications aboard the vessel MT Celestial at Duqm Port in Oman, as confirmed by the Indian embassy in Muscat. The embassy indicated that arrangements are underway for the repatriation of the deceased’s remains to India.
India boasts over 300,000 seafarers globally, with more than 18,000 employed in the Middle East, according to data from the country’s shipping ministry. This tragic incident follows the recent deaths of three Indian seafarers in a U.S. strike on another tanker off Oman, which has drawn public and political criticism.
Opposition parties are urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address these concerns with U.S. President Donald Trump during the upcoming Group of Seven summit. In a rare diplomatic move, India filed a second protest with the United States regarding the strike, particularly given its timing within the context of ongoing regional conflicts.
The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Nishanth Uirthanathan, had remained on board for over two days without proper refrigeration. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India highlighted the desperate measures taken by the crew, who used cold water bottles to slow decomposition, underscoring the dire situation.
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