Three Indian nationals were killed, one was injured, and five rescued in a boat accident off the coast of Beira in Mozambique, the Indian High Commission said on Saturday.
The launch boat carrying crew members of a tanker, including 14 Indian nationals, capsized during crew transfer operations off Beira port, the Indian Mission said in a press release.
In a social media post, it conveyed its “heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives, including of three Indian nationals”, in the boat accident. It said the Mission was in contact with the families of those who lost their lives in the mishap and is extending all possible assistance to them. The mission is coordinating with local authorities regarding the missing 5 Indians.
Two men from Kerala — Indrajith, 22, a resident of Edakkattuvayal in Ernakulam, and Sreerag, of Thevalakkara in Kollam — are among those missing in the accident.
Both had left Kerala on October 14 to join the ship. Another person from Kerala was reportedly rescued.
As per the information reaching the families in Kerala, the service boat met with the tragedy close to the tanker ‘Sea Quest’, which was at the outer anchorage of Beira. The tanker is managed by Scorpio Marine Management (India).
According to Indrajith’s relative Sugunan, “On Friday noon, we were informed about the mishap, but there is not much progress in the rescue mission. On Saturday we were told that the mission has been suspended due to adverse weather.’’
Story continues below this ad
Indrajith, a mechanical engineer, had joined the firm a year ago. “After landing in Gujarat, he had been at home for a week and left for Mozambique on October 14. His father Santhosh is also in the same shipping firm in the maintenance sector. Santhosh’s second son Abhijith was also processing his papers to join the shipping firm’s office in Qatar,” Sugunan said.
At Thevalakkara village in Kollam, the family of Sreerag Radhakrishnan is worried about the slow pace of rescue operation. Sreerag, 35, has been working as an electro- technical officer in the merchant navy. For the last six years, he has been with the Scorpio Marine management.
His uncle Hari said, “Sreerag has been with us for the last six months. He came from Kollam on October 14 to join the ship. The boat capsized not far away from the ship. We were told that rescue operations will resume on Sunday with a larger boat. We are worried that there is not much progress in rescue even though two days have elapsed after the tragedy,’’ he said.
Sreerag is survived by wife Jithu and two minor children.
(With PTI inputs)
