Indian second officer dies on oil tanker in Gulf of Oman due to illness, crew alleges company is hiding and authorities didn’t help, uses water bottles to prevent decomposition of body

In a tragic incident that has once again highlighted the perils faced by Indian seafarers in the volatile waters of the Strait of Hormuz region, 35-year-old Nishanth Uirthanathan, a Second Officer from Tamil Nadu, passed away on 11 June 2026 aboard the tanker MT Celestial near the coast of Oman. The seafarer fell seriously ill around 8 June, but timely medical attention could not be arranged, leading to his unfortunate demise around 1800 hours on 11 June.

His body remained onboard for more than two days without proper refrigeration facilities, forcing the distressed crew to use cold water bottles in a desperate bid to slow down decomposition.

According to allegations made by the crew and the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), repeated distress calls, including on VHF Channel 16, were made by the captain, Capt. Rajendra Yadav, but evacuation efforts were delayed due to ongoing regional tensions, missile strikes, security issues, and communication disruptions at Duqm Port. The union also has strongly alleged negligence on the part of the ship management and relevant authorities, claiming that a swift medical evacuation was possible, but was not arranged in time.

The captain of the ship issued a distress message via a video, urging urgent assistant to evacuate the mortal remans of Uirthanathan. He alleged that their company his hiding from them, and not responding to their messages.

He said, “This is the dead body of our second officer. He died two days ago, and his body is decomposing. We reached out to the Indian Embassy but haven’t got a positive response. Our company is hiding from us, not taking any responsibilities.” He urged everyone to circulate the message widely, saying that otherwise the body will start to spoil.

The captain added that the ship is anchored near the port of Duqm in Oman.

The crew also reportedly contacted the US Navy and the ship manager Hamburg Marine Lines, yet faced hurdles amid the heightened security environment. Port authorities at Duqm allegedly shut down WiFi and communications, leaving the crew isolated and unresponsive to their urgent pleas.

The FSUI said that medical visa/evacuation was available in just an hour off Duqm at a fee of 10 Omani Riyal (~₹2,473), but it was not arranged. The union said, “Nishanth Uirthanathan (35) died on shadow tanker MT Celestial due to shipowner negligence. Delays in help & failure to arrange mortal remains show clear intent. Questions also for Omani authorities.”

The FSUI has been vocal in demanding immediate preservation of the mortal remains, expedited repatriation, and a thorough investigation into the failures that contributed to the tragedy. “Who cares for seafarers? They keep global trade moving but face neglect in medical care and repatriation amid conflicts they have nothing to do with,” the union stated, expressing deep concern over the plight of Indian mariners operating in conflict-prone zones.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat has confirmed the death due to medical complications and stated that it has been in continuous contact with the ship management company and all concerned stakeholders. Arrangements are underway for the early repatriation of the mortal remains to India, and the Embassy has extended condolences to the bereaved family while offering support to the crew.

This incident marks the fourth Indian seafarer death in the region within a week, coming close on the heels of other fatalities caused by attack on ships by US forces for violating naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz area. US has fired missiles on three ships with all-Indian crews, and three sailors were killed in the strike on one of them, MT Settebello.

Furthermore, like the three ships struck by the US, the MT Celestial is also a ship under a flag of convenience (FOC), as it is sailing under the flag of Aruba, a Caribbean territory. The vessel has been associated with the shadow fleet involved in sanction-evasion activities. The MT Celestial Sea was boarded by US Marines in May 2026 in the Gulf of Oman for suspected violation attempts but was released and redirected after it was inspected. Such vessels, often operating with opaque ownership structures and in sensitive routes, expose crews to greater risks including inspections, delays, and limited access to emergency services.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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