The last message a 44-year-old Indian marine engineer sent to his wife before being killed in a US military strike on a commercial vessel off the Oman coast was, 'Good night. Take care of the children.' Suresh, a resident of Visakhapatnam, was among three Indian crew members who lost their lives in the attack.
Final Words and Family's Grief
Suresh's widow, Bhargavi, told PTI that her husband would send a 'Good morning' message every day to family members. On the morning of the attack, she kept waiting for the message, hoping he was simply busy. 'We were four; now we have become three,' she said, describing the tragedy's impact. The couple's two sons, aged 13 and 10, have been inconsolable since learning about their father's death.
Details of the Incident
The US Central Command acknowledged the strike, stating that the vessel violated the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports by attempting to transport oil from Iran. According to information conveyed to the family, a problem was reported with the vessel's generator, and Suresh went to inspect it when the strike occurred. He was directly hit and had no opportunity to escape.
Suresh's Background and Experience
Suresh had nearly two decades of experience in the maritime industry. He had worked with the same company for around 12 years and served as Chief Engineer at the time of the incident. The family noted that he had already received his relieving letter and was awaiting a replacement before returning home after nearly five months at sea. Bhargavi described marine engineering as not merely a profession but Suresh's passion.
Family's Plea for Assistance
The family has sought assistance in obtaining official information regarding the incident, recovery of the mortal remains, and the repatriation process. Bhargavi said her only priority now was to see him and bring his mortal remains home. Andhra Pradesh Bhavan Commissioner in New Delhi, Arja Srikanth, wrote to Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, Ambassador of India to Oman, seeking urgent assistance. He requested the Indian Embassy in Muscat to coordinate with authorities, expedite documentation and repatriation formalities, and extend support to the grieving family.
Extended Stay and Communication Challenges
Bhargavi explained that Suresh had originally travelled to the vessel for a 10-day assignment to assist another chief engineer. However, after he joined, the other engineer was relieved, and Suresh was retained due to his extensive experience. The Chinese New Year period delayed operations, and regional hostilities escalated, prolonging his stay. Communication restrictions and jammers in the area prevented audio and video calls, forcing the couple to rely mainly on text messages.
The 48,000-ton vessel was involved in transporting cargo and depended on smaller vessels to transfer material. It had been at the location for about a week before the strike and had already loaded approximately 28,000 tonnes of cargo. The family was eagerly awaiting his arrival, believing he would be back before their 15th wedding anniversary on June 24.
