Indian Embassy Muscat coordinates repatriation after death aboard MT Celestial in Oman waters

The Indian Embassy in Muscat said it is coordinating with Omani authorities, port officials, and the shipping company to repatriate the mortal remains of Nishanth Uirthanathan. The body was disembarked from MT Celestial at the Port of Duqm and transferred to a Ministry of Health Hospital, with family liaison ongoing.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat said it was arranging the earliest return to India of an Indian national who died on a ship in Oman waters. The mission said it was coordinating with Omani authorities and the shipping company. The Embassy did not share details about the medical conditions linked to the death.

In a social media post on Sunday, the mission said the mortal remains of Nishanth Uirthanathan were taken off MT Celestial at the Port of Duqm. The Embassy said the remains were moved to the Ministry of Health Hospital. It added that the mission was closely coordinating with the family for repatriation.

Indian Embassy in Muscat repatriation efforts for MT Celestial

The mission said, "The Embassy remains in active coordination with local Omani authorities, port officials and the shipping company regarding Mr Nishanth Uirthanathan, who unfortunately died onboard MT Celestial due to medical conditions,\" and added that it was completing formalities. It also said arrangements were made to recover the remains quickly from the vessel.

The Embassy said the ship was expected to berth at Duqm port on Oman’s south-eastern coast. It added that it was staying in contact with the family. The mission also said it was working with concerned Omani officials to enable the earliest possible repatriation of the mortal remains to India.

Indian seafarer death timeline linked to MT Celestial

On Saturday, the mission confirmed that Uirthanathan had died due to medical complications. The Embassy conveyed condolences to the family. It also said it was in constant touch with the ship’s management company as the situation unfolded and while coordination continued in Oman.

The Forward Seamens Union of India said Uirthanathan died on June 11 after becoming seriously ill. The union urged authorities in India and Oman to respond at once. On Saturday, the group posted a video showing Uirthanathan looking unwell. The clip showed a crew member offering food, but it could not be verified.

US Marines search drill and MT Celestial Strait of Hormuz blockade claim

MT Celestial was also linked to a US Marines operation last month at the Strait of Hormuz. On May 20, the US Central Command said: Earlier today in the Gulf of Oman, US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded MT Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the US blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port. American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ships crew to alter course.

Directorate General of Shipping DGS advisory on Indian seafarers in conflict areas

In a related step, the Directorate General of Shipping DGS advised maritime recruitment and placement agencies to limit sending Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders. The move came days after three Indian seafarers on MT Settebello were killed. The deaths followed a US military strike on the commercial vessel off the Oman coast.

With inputs from PTI