Crew members (left) of MT Celestial Sea in front of the coffin containing the decomposing corpse of Nishant Uirthanathan (right), a sailor who fell ill and died on board on June 11, allegedly because of lack of medical assistance. Photos: X/@FSUIINDIA
TN sailor dies on stranded vessel in Gulf; crew uses water bottles to slow body's rotting
Urgent calls for accountability grow as seamen’s union slam severe medical delays and agonising repatriation failures off the coast of Oman; embassy assures help
Amid the intensifying diplomatic storm over the deaths of three Indian mariners in a US missile strike on a tanker in the Gulf, another Indian seafarer, Nishanth Uirthanathan, has lost his life, not directly because of an attack but for allegedly receiving little medical treatment after falling sick aboard a vessel in the middle of raging regional tensions.
Decomposing body, no relief
What is worse is that the body has remained on board for more than two days without refrigeration facilities. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) expressed concerns over the situation, saying in a post on social media platform X that the crew was using cold water bottles “in a desperate attempt” to slow the decomposition of the sailor’s mortal remains. It called the situation “horrifying and health-risking”.
#MTCelestial (off Oman coast)
— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) June 13, 2026
35-year-old Second Officer Nishanth Uirthanathan (Tamil Nadu) passed away on June 11 after falling seriously ill. His body has remained onboard for over 2 days with no proper refrigeration. Crew is using cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to… pic.twitter.com/hPzGh9St9U
The FSUI also added that the timely medical evacuation of the deceased was reportedly delayed as regional tensions persisted and repeated distress calls failed to see relief coming on time.
Also read: Jaishankar raises death of three Indian mariners with Rubio, slams US strikes
“FSUI and the captain are urgently demanding body preservation/repatriation, crew support, and full investigation into the response failures,” it said. Uirthanathan, a 35-year-old second officer who hailed from Tamil Nadu, was serving aboard MT Celestial Sea. He fell ill on June 8 while the ship was docked at Duqm Port in southeastern Oman.
According to one report, the vessel has been linked to the shadow fleet known for helping circumvent international sanctions.
In May, US Marines boarded the MT Celestial Sea in the Gulf of Oman on suspicion of violations, though it was released and rerouted following inspection, the report added. Vessels of this kind typically operate under murky ownership arrangements along high-risk corridors, leaving crew members vulnerable to unexpected boardings, prolonged delays, and severely limited access to emergency assistance, it said.
Such vessels typically operate under murky ownership arrangements along high-risk corridors, leaving crew members vulnerable to unexpected boardings, prolonged delays, and severely limited access to emergency assistance.
Indian embassy reacts
The Indian Embassy in Muscat spoke on the matter on Saturday (June 13), saying it was in touch with the vessel’s management company and coordinating with all concerned stakeholders to bring out Uirthanathan’s mortal remains as early as possible from the ship.
“Necessary arrangements are being made for the early repatriation of the mortal remains to India,” the embassy said in a post on X, while condoling the sailor’s death.
However, the FSUI continued to vent frustration over the delayed response. In one post on X, it said, “A young Indian seafarer’s life cost just 10 Omani Riyal (~₹2,473) — the medical visa/evacuation fee available in an hour off Duqm. 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. RIP Nishanth. Demand accountability”
Seamen's body says no help yet
Giving further updates on Sunday (June 14), the seamen’s body said no boat had arrived to repatriate the decomposing corpse.
“Communicating the family is one side but taking out the mortal of late Brother Nishant from MT Celestial must on priority,” it said. The FSUI has expressed deep concerns over the attacks on non-combative vessels in the current conflict in West Asia and the deaths and insecurity of seafarers.
Also read: 3 Indian lives lost: India's diplomatic shrug exposes Modi's muscular image
“Who cares for seafarers? They keep global trade moving but face neglect in medical care & repatriation amid conflicts they have nothing to do with. Demand urgent action for evacuation, body preservation & dignified return. RIP to all lost souls,” it wrote.
Vessel captain, crew reveal details
The captain of MT Celestial Sea, Rajendra Yadav, said Uirthanathan denied treatment despite his medical complications due to ongoing strikes.
“Despite repeated requests for assistance, the deceased remains onboard. The body has been onboard for the last 3 days and has started decomposing, causing severe emotional distress to the crew and raising serious health and humanitarian concerns,” he said in a letter which was shared by FSUI with ETV Bharat.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi ‘compromised PM’ after US strikes kill 3 Indian seafarers
In another letter, the crew members signed a statement describing the events leading to the death of the sailor, whom they tried to revive with available medicine and food, ETV Bharat reported.
Netizens slam embassy, MEA
The embassy gave an update on Sunday, saying it was in close touch with family members of the Uirthanathan and “efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains”.
The netizens were not happy with the response of the embassy, with one even going to the extent of calling the Ministry of External Affairs “a joke”. Another slammed the embassy, saying even smaller nations display a bigger clout when it coming to serving their citizens.