THOOTHUKUDI, India, June 14: The wife of Indian seafarer Nishanth Uirthanathan has appealed to the government to repatriate her husband’s mortal remains and seek justice for his death.
Speaking to ANI, Sarabin also requested support and employment assistance for her family.
“I am requesting the Government of India to consider my husband’s death. I want to see my husband’s body. I want justice for my husband’s death. I have an 8-month-old baby and a 3-year-old daughter. Right now, I don’t know what to do next for my children’s future. We didn’t get any official statement from the company about my husband’s death. I kindly request the government to provide a permanent employment opportunity for the sake of my family,” she said.
Uirthanathan’s father said the family had received no information about his son’s death and had only been told that he was suffering from a health issue.
“My son has been working on the ship for the past 10 months. The shipping company did not inform us about his death. Instead, they told us that my son was suffering from a health issue and then switched off the phone. We received no communication from the company thereafter, nor did anyone from the ship contact us. More than three days have passed since my son’s death, yet no proper action has been taken,” he said.
He further alleged that when his son’s condition deteriorated, the company failed to take appropriate action.
“When my son’s condition became critical, those on board reportedly requested helicopter assistance for medical evacuation. However, there was no response from the company’s office. Since the vessel on which my son was working had reportedly been laid up, no adequate medical assistance was provided to him. Even after informing us of his death, the company has allegedly failed to properly preserve my son’s body in a refrigerated facility,” he said.
The deceased seafarer’s father demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
“We request that the authorities immediately bring back his mortal remains and conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. My son leaves behind two young daughters. We do not know what the future holds. Our family is in deep distress,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Embassy in Oman said it was in contact with local Omani authorities, port officials, and the shipping company.
In a post on X, the embassy 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. The vessel is expected to berth soon at Duqm Port. Necessary arrangements have been made for prompt recovery of the mortal remains from the vessel. The Mission is in touch with the family and facilitating all formalities for the earliest repatriation of the mortal remains to India.”
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