Indian Sailor D!es Aboard Str∆nded Vessel As 562 Crew Members Remain Tr∆pped In Strait Of Hormuz
Indian Sailor Dies Aboard Stranded Vessel As 562 Crew Members Remain Trapped In Strait Of Hormuz
The Indian embassy in Muscat, Oman, confirmed on Sunday that efforts were underway to bring Urthanathan’s body back to India after he reportedly died from an illness while on board the vessel MT Celestial, according to NDTV.
An Indian sailor, Nishant Urthanathan, has died aboard an Indian-flagged vessel as 562 Indian crew members remain stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz for more than three months due to disruptions linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.
The Indian embassy in Muscat, Oman, confirmed on Sunday that efforts were underway to bring Urthanathan’s body back to India after he reportedly died from an illness while on board the vessel MT Celestial, according to NDTV.
In a statement, the embassy said it was in “constant touch with the family of Nishant Urthanathan – who unfortunately passed away due to medical reasons – as well as the ship’s crew members and relevant authorities.”
“Efforts are underway to disembark his mortal remains and repatriate them to India as soon as possible,” the embassy added.
According to the embassy, MT Celestial is currently at the Port of Duqm in Oman, where officials are coordinating with the vessel’s management company and local authorities to facilitate the repatriation process.
The incident comes amid a prolonged maritime crisis affecting Indian seafarers in the region.
At least 562 Indian sailors aboard 13 Indian-flagged cargo vessels have remained stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman for 107 days.
Data from India’s Ministry of Shipping reportedly showed that 329 sailors are stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, while another 233 are located in the Gulf of Oman to the east of the strategic waterway.
The sailors have reportedly been unable to leave the area since hostilities between the United States and Iran escalated on February 28, forcing them to endure difficult conditions and prolonged uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy also reported a fresh maritime emergency involving the Indian-flagged sailing vessel Virat 1 off the coast of Oman.
The embassy said it had received information that 14 Indian crew members were on board the vessel when the incident occurred.
“It is reported that 14 Indian crew members were on board. A search and rescue operation is being coordinated in conjunction with Omani authorities and vessels present in the vicinity of the incident,” the embassy said.
Reports indicated that Virat 1 suffered an engine failure, prompting the crew to abandon the vessel and move to life rafts.
Rescue efforts involving Omani authorities and nearby ships were said to be ongoing at the time of the embassy’s statement.
The developments have heightened concerns over the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers caught in the continuing disruptions affecting one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/over-500-indian-sailors-stranded-in-strait-of-hormuz-for-107-days-11634835
