Muscat: The body of an Indian seafarer who died due to medical complications aboard the oil tanker MT Celestial at Oman's Duqm Port has been taken into custody by the Royal Oman Police and transferred to a mortuary, three days after his death, according to the latest information received from the Sultanate.
The deceased, identified as Nishanth Uirthanathan, a native of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, was serving aboard the vessel when he reportedly suffered medical complications and passed away earlier this week. His body remained on board the ship for nearly three days before local authorities completed the required procedures and arranged for its removal.
In a video message circulated on social media, the ship's captain said he had informed the Indian Embassy in Oman and other relevant authorities immediately after the seafarer's death. However, due to procedural and administrative formalities, the body could not be disembarked immediately. Crew members reportedly faced difficulties preserving the remains during the intervening period as the vessel lacked dedicated mortuary facilities and the body had begun to decompose.
According to information received from Muscat late Sunday, the Royal Oman Police boarded the vessel, took custody of the body and shifted it to the Duqm mortuary. The development is expected to facilitate the completion of legal and medical formalities required before the repatriation of the remains to India.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Muscat had confirmed the death and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. The embassy stated that it was coordinating with the ship's management, Omani authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains.
In a subsequent statement, the embassy said it remained in constant touch with the seafarer's family, the vessel's crew and local authorities, and was making efforts to expedite documentation and other procedures necessary for the repatriation process.
The incident has also raised concerns regarding welfare measures and emergency response mechanisms available to seafarers working aboard commercial vessels. The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) has called for a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case and sought greater clarity from the authorities involved.
The deceased seafarer's family has appealed to the Indian government to ensure the swift return of his mortal remains and to conduct a transparent inquiry into the circumstances leading to his death. Family members have stated that they initially received limited information about the incident, causing considerable distress.
The incident comes at a time when maritime security and the welfare of seafarers have drawn increased attention amid heightened regional tensions in the Gulf of Oman and surrounding waters. Maritime organisations have repeatedly called for stronger support systems, including medical and emergency response facilities for crew members working on international shipping routes.
Sources in Oman said the Royal Oman Police and other authorities continue to provide assistance to vessels operating within the country's territorial waters. The transfer of Nishanth Uirthanathan's body to the Duqm mortuary is being viewed as a significant step towards completing the formalities required for the repatriation of his remains to India.