'Body preserved with water bottles': Indian sailor dies on vessel off Oman coast; union cites aid delay amid regional tensions
The Times of India • • world
Key Points:
- The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) reported the death of Second Officer Nishanth Uirthanathan on the vessel MT Celestial off the Oman coast, with his body remaining onboard for over two days without proper refrigeration.
- FSUI highlighted delayed medical assistance due to regional tensions and criticized the lack of timely evacuation and proper preservation of the deceased officer's body.
- The union is demanding urgent action for body preservation, repatriation, crew support, and a full investigation into the response failures surrounding the incident.
- Regional tensions have affected multiple vessels, leading to the deaths of three Indian sailors amid allegations of US naval blockades and attacks linked to Iranian oil transport.
- The incident has sparked diplomatic protests by India against the US, with conflicting accusations between the US and Iran regarding attacks on Indian-crewed ships in the Strait of Hormuz.