Indian Seafarer Dies of Illness Near Oman; Union Claims Delays in Medical Evacuation

In a tragic incident, an Indian seafarer succumbed to a medical condition while aboard the merchant vessel MT Celestial, docked at Duqm Port in Oman. The deceased has been identified as Nishanth Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old second officer hailing from Tamil Nadu. His death, which occurred on Thursday evening, has raised serious concerns regarding the timely provision of medical assistance at sea.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed that they are actively engaged with the ship’s management to facilitate the repatriation of Uirthanathan’s remains to India. In a statement, the embassy assured that they are maintaining close communication with various stakeholders involved in this unfortunate situation. They noted, “The Embassy has been in continuous contact with the ship management company and is coordinating closely with all concerned parties.”

However, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India has voiced severe criticism over the circumstances leading to Uirthanathan’s death. The union alleges that the seafarer’s passing was exacerbated by delays in obtaining essential medical support. They disclosed that Uirthanathan’s body has been on the vessel for more than two days without adequate refrigeration, a situation they describe as ‘horrifying’ and detrimental to the health of the crew still aboard. In a poignant video shared by the union, crew members expressed their desperation, using cold water bottles in an attempt to slow the decomposition of their colleague’s body.

This incident has brought to light pressing issues in the maritime industry regarding the welfare of seafarers and the urgent need for improved medical protocols at sea. The union’s allegations underscore the challenges faced by Indian seafarers, often working in isolated conditions far from immediate medical facilities.

While the embassy continues to work towards the repatriation of Uirthanathan’s remains, questions linger about the systemic issues that led to this tragedy. The maritime community and families of seafarers are calling for heightened accountability and better medical emergency responses to prevent similar incidents in the future. Uirthanathan’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who work on the high seas, often away from their loved ones and essential medical services.

Source: scroll.in