Relatives urge government intervention as search continues for 20-year-old merchant navy seaman
A family in Haryana has appealed to the Indian government for urgent assistance after their 20-year-old son, a merchant navy seaman, went missing from a Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Ukraine, leaving relatives anxiously awaiting information about his fate.
Deepak Duddi, a resident of Jui village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, was reported missing after he allegedly fell overboard while the vessel was sailing in the Black Sea region. According to his family, they were informed of the incident through an email and a phone call on July 5, several days after he was said to have disappeared.
-
The news came while the family was already mourning the death of another relative, adding to their distress
-
Deepak’s father, Mandeep Duddi, said the family has received very little information about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and remains uncertain about the efforts being made to locate him
According to reports, search operations were launched after the incident, but no confirmed trace of the young sailor has been found so far. The family has questioned how the incident occurred and has sought a detailed investigation into the events leading to his disappearance.
Relatives have appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and other concerned authorities to coordinate with the shipping company and the relevant foreign agencies to ensure a thorough search and provide regular updates.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by Indian seafarers working on international vessels, particularly in conflict-affected maritime regions. Thousands of Indian nationals serve in the global merchant navy, making maritime safety and timely consular support important concerns for their families.
As search efforts continue, Deepak’s family says they are holding on to hope while waiting for definitive information about his whereabouts.
