Final rites for Akhil Joyan, 26, killed in Russian strike off Odessa
The 26-year-old merchant navy sailor Akhil Joyan, who died in a drone attack on a cargo vessel off Ukraine’s Odessa coast last month, was laid to rest at his hometown Vellarikundu in Kasaragod on Monday, nearly a month after the incident.
Akhil’s body was flown to Bengaluru and then transported by road to his family home, reaching Vellarikundu around noon. The funeral service was held in the presence of Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, and Kasaragod district panchayat president Sabu Abraham.
Akhil was among ten people killed when the grain-carrying cargo vessel Golden Leo was targeted in a Russian drone strike off Odessa on July 19. Four of those killed were Indians, and Akhil was the only one from Kerala. The vessel had 17 people on board, including Indian and Syrian sailors and Ukrainian pilots. Eight people were reportedly rescued.
The attack is part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has heightened risks for merchant shipping in the Black Sea region. The Indian government has previously expressed concern over the safety of Indian sailors working in conflict zones.
The only son of Joyan and Sally, Akhil had worked in the Merchant Navy for four years. He had returned home on two months’ leave and rejoined duty around 40 days before the fatal attack. His family said he was preparing to get married. Akhil was engaged to a woman from Kattappana in Idukki, and the wedding was planned for April next year, when he was expected to return home.
Akhil completed his Plus Two at St. Jude’s Higher Secondary School, Vellarikundu, and later pursued marine engineering in Chennai. He joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 19. A talented sportsperson, Akhil was part of the Kerala team that won the national tug-of-war championship in 2014-15 while he was a Plus Two student. He also won a State championship and earned a place in the World Wide Book of Records after completing 25 rope pull-ups in 30 seconds.
The funeral brought together family, friends, and local residents to pay their respects. Community members expressed grief over the loss of a young man whose life was cut short.
Akhil’s death is a reminder of the human cost of conflict, as families across the region mourn a promising life cut short. He is survived by his parents.
