Indian national dies aboard MT Celestial at Duqm Port; embassy works on repatriation
Synopsis
A fourth Indian maritime death in days — this one from medical conditions aboard MT Celestial at Duqm Port — deepens a crisis that has already seen India summon the US Charge d’Affaires twice over naval attacks killing three Indian crew members on the Settebello. New Delhi’s diplomatic patience with Washington over civilian shipping safety is visibly wearing thin.
Key Takeaways
Nishanth Uirthanathan , an Indian national, died due to medical conditions aboard MT Celestial at Duqm Port, Oman .
The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed on 14 June that it is coordinating with the family, crew, and authorities to repatriate his mortal remains at the earliest.
Earlier this week, three Indian crew members were killed in an attack on commercial vessel Settebello off the Omani coast; all 20 crew aboard MT Jalveer were rescued.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks twice in one week to protest US naval attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers.
The MEA called US actions ‘unacceptable’ and urged Washington to stop the loss of civilian life in the Gulf of Oman .
The first incident in this series was a fire aboard MT Marivex on 8 June , south of the Strait of Hormuz , involving 24 Indian seafarers .
The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed on Sunday, 14 June that an Indian national, Nishanth Uirthanathan, died due to medical conditions while aboard the vessel MT Celestial, currently docked at Duqm Port. The Embassy said efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible repatriation of his mortal remains to India.
What the Embassy Said
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Oman said it “remains in close touch with family members of the Indian national Mr. Nishanth Uirthanathan who unfortunately lost his life due to medical conditions, crew members of the vessel and concerned authorities.” The Embassy added that “efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains.”
A day earlier, on Saturday, the Embassy had posted that it was “in continuous contact with the ship management company and coordinating closely with all concerned stakeholders” to arrange for early repatriation, while also extending condolences to the bereaved family.
Broader Crisis: Attacks on Indian Seafarers in the Gulf of Oman
The death of Uirthanathan comes amid a broader and deeply troubling pattern of incidents endangering Indian maritime workers in the Gulf of Oman. Earlier this week, three Indian crew members were killed following an attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the Omani coast. Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard, 21 were rescued while three others lost their lives.
In a separate incident, all 20 Indian crew members aboard MT Jalveer were rescued with the support of Omani authorities after the vessel came under attack off Shinas port in Oman. Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal confirmed their safety during an inter-ministerial briefing on Thursday.
The first incident in this series involved MT Marivex on 8 June, when a fire broke out aboard the vessel carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of the Strait of Hormuz.
India Lodges Strong Protest with the US
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time in recent days to lodge India’s strong protest against what it described as continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman.
The MEA stated that Washington’s actions are “unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce” in a sensitive region. “A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives,” the MEA said.
The MEA further requested the US Charge d’Affaires to convey India’s concerns to US authorities and ensure that forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of civilian life. The first summoning had taken place on Wednesday, in the immediate aftermath of the Settebello attack.
What Happens Next
With at least four Indian deaths now linked to maritime incidents in the Gulf of Oman within days, pressure on New Delhi to secure firmer guarantees for the safety of Indian seafarers is mounting. The Embassy continues to coordinate with ship management companies, Omani authorities, and the families of those affected. The diplomatic standoff with Washington over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping is expected to intensify as India awaits a formal response from US authorities.
Point of View
Separate from the attacks — risks being overshadowed by the diplomatic storm over the Settebello killings, but both demand accountability. India’s decision to summon the US Charge d’Affaires twice in a single week is diplomatically significant, yet summoning alone is not a policy. With four Indian maritime deaths in days and no public US response, New Delhi faces pressure to move from protest to consequence — a test of whether its maritime diplomacy has teeth or remains performative.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nishanth Uirthanathan and how did he die?
Nishanth Uirthanathan was an Indian national who died due to medical conditions while aboard the vessel MT Celestial, docked at Duqm Port in Oman. His death was confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Oman on 14 June.
What is the Indian Embassy doing about the repatriation of his remains?
The Indian Embassy in Oman is coordinating with Uirthanathan’s family, the ship’s crew, the ship management company, and concerned Omani authorities to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains to India.
What other incidents involving Indian seafarers have occurred in the Gulf of Oman recently?
Three Indian crew members were killed in an attack on commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, and all 20 Indian crew members aboard MT Jalveer were rescued after a separate attack near Shinas port. The first incident involved a fire on MT Marivex on 8 June, south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Why did India summon the US Charge d’Affaires?
India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks twice — on Wednesday and again on Friday — to protest what it described as continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman. The MEA called the actions ‘unacceptable’ and demanded that US forces stop the loss of civilian life.
How many Indian seafarers have been affected by these incidents?
At least three Indian crew members were killed in the Settebello attack, 20 were rescued from MT Jalveer, and 24 Indian seafarers were aboard MT Marivex during the fire near the Strait of Hormuz. Nishanth Uirthanathan’s death from medical conditions aboard MT Celestial is a separate incident.
