US Navy refuses to help as Indian dies in agony at sea

Muscat: An Indian national died due to health complications while aboard a vessel docked at the port of Duqm, Oman. The Indian Embassy shared a post on the social media platform 'X' on Saturday, identifying the deceased as Nishant Urthanathan. He was aboard the motor tanker (MT) Celestial Sea at the time of his death. It has been revealed that the crew of the MT Celestial had repeatedly appealed to the US Navy for assistance via radio communication, but their pleas went unheeded. It is now being claimed that the US Navy is refusing to grant permission to retrieve the body of the deceased sailor, Nishant Urthanathan.
Repeated requests for help from the US Navy
Citing records from the MT Celestial Sea, Sputnik India has claimed that the vessel made repeated calls to the US Navy for assistance. These calls reported that the Indian sailor, Nishant Urthanathan, was suffering from severe vomiting. However, there was no response from the US Navy. Nishant Urthanathan subsequently passed away on June 11. The report states that the US Navy is still withholding permission to retrieve the body.
Captain of the MT Celestial recounts the incident
The report also shares a letter detailing the incident aboard the MT Celestial Sea. The letter bears the signatures of the ship's captain, Rajendra Yadav, and several other crew members. It states, "This is to inform that Nishant Urthanathan (Passport No. 58104330), holding the rank of Second Officer, reported feeling unwell and experiencing continuous vomiting at 12:00 PM on June 8, 2026. He informed the company office and contacted the US Navy via VHF Channel 16 to apprise them of the patient's condition." Indian seafarer suffered from persistent vomiting
They further wrote, "By evening, there was no response regarding the Second Officer's health. The frequency of vomiting increased to once every 5–10 minutes. He was given an Ondet-MD tablet. He vomited again at 4:00 PM. At 7:00 PM, he was given another Ondet-MD tablet. He vomited once at 11:00 PM. There was no vomiting during the rest of the night. On June 9, 2026, there was no vomiting either; he only complained of stomach and body pain. He was being fed liquid *dal* (lentils), rice, ORS, and water."
US Navy did not provide assistance
The letter further states, "On June 10, 2026, we provided him with fluids, food, and water. We kept the company informed and repeatedly contacted the US Navy via VHF Channel 16 to apprise them of the sick patient's condition, yet received no response. Following medical advice, we administered medication and attempted to secure shore-based assistance through agents and the US Navy via VHF Channel 16." Ship contacted US Navy multiple times
According to the letter, "At 6:00 AM on June 11, 2026, he stopped consuming food and water. As advised, the company was kept informed. We administered medication and attempted to arrange shore-based assistance via agents and the US Navy on VHF Channel 16. At 12:00 PM, we weighed anchor and began sailing towards Duqm, the nearest port in Oman. Port Control at Duqm, Oman, was contacted to report the need for the Second Officer's medical evacuation."
Indian seafarer's body stranded on the ship
The ship's captain stated, "Port Control contacted the local agent in Duqm. By 2:00 PM, the company provided us with the agent's details. We relayed this information to Duqm Port Control." He lost consciousness after 3 PM, and at 5 PM, it was discovered that he had stopped breathing. He was administered CPR multiple times and placed on oxygen support; his pulse was checked and found to be stable at that time. Later, at 6 PM, it was found that his pulse had also stopped. We are in constant contact with the company, but a helicopter rescue has not been possible.