Indian Sailor from Kerala Dies After Russian Attack on Cargo Ship Near Ukraine
A 26-year-old Indian merchant navy sailor from Kerala was killed after the cargo vessel he was serving on was struck by Russian forces off the coast of Ukraine, according to foreign media reports and local officials. The incident occurred on Sunday, shortly after the ship left the port of Odesa.
The deceased, Akhil Joyan, was the only son of Joyan and Sally, residents of Vellarikkundu in Kasaragod district. He was due to get married in two months. Shobi Joseph, a ward member of Vellarikkundu in Balal grama panchayat, told PTI that the family received an email from the shipping company on Monday evening informing them of Akhil's death.
"We are trying to gather more details and complete the necessary formalities. He joined the merchant navy at the age of 19," Joseph said. According to him, Akhil had returned home three months ago for his engagement ceremony. "His marriage was scheduled to take place two months from now. The bride is from Alappuzha district. He returned to work a month back," he added.
Joseph described Akhil as a well-known and respected figure in the locality, who was also a popular tug-of-war player. "He was known as a well-behaved and disciplined youngster," he said. He added that Akhil's father worked at an electrical shop while his mother was an insurance agent. "They are an ordinary family, and their future depended largely on Akhil. They had recently constructed a house," Joseph said.
The family is in touch with local MP and MLA to seek assistance in bringing Akhil's body back to India and completing other formalities.
According to foreign media reports, Ukraine's Sea Ports Authority said a cargo vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau was hit by Russian forces on Sunday shortly after leaving the port of Odesa. The vessel, carrying Ukrainian corn, was reportedly struck while at sea. The authority said eight people were rescued from the ship.
India strongly condemned the attack, stating that targeting commercial shipping, endangering the lives of civilian crew members, or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce is deplorable and must be avoided.
