Family Demands Investigation Over Mysterious Death
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The incident highlights broader concerns about working conditions aboard vessels and the responsibilities of international maritime companies to ensure crew safety and proper post-incident accountability
The tragic death of a young Indian marine engineer aboard a commercial vessel in the United Arab Emirates has sparked outrage and raised pressing questions about safety practices in the shipping industry.
Anurag Tiwari, 33, a marine engineer from Lucknow, India, was found unconscious in the engine room of Jana 505, a Panama-flagged jack-up platform, on June 29. Despite emergency CPR and medical evacuation efforts, he was declared dead at a hospital in Sharjah. The vessel was undergoing commissioning work at the time.
According to the UAE forensic report, the cause of death was heatstroke leading to multi-organ failure. However, Anurag’s family has alleged negligence and is demanding a thorough and independent investigation. His father, Anil Kumar Tiwari, insists that inconsistencies in the company’s account of the incident and poor communication have left the family with more questions than answers.
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As Anurag’s family mourns their loss, they continue to push for answers and justice
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They are calling for a toxicology report and a transparent, impartial inquiry to determine whether human error or negligence contributed to the fatal incident
Initially, the family was informed that Anurag collapsed on the vessel’s deck, a claim later changed to the engine room — a confined space with limited ventilation. Anil Tiwari has questioned whether proper safety protocols were followed and suspects that toxic fumes and heat buildup in the engine room may have played a role in his son’s death.
https://x.com/aktiwari1201/status/1940459517348876532
Anurag had been working as a third engineer aboard Jana 505, operated by Synergy Ship Arabia (SSA) and recruited through Avishka Shipping Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based crew placement agency. SSA confirmed the cause of death as heatstroke in communications with the family, but they reportedly failed to provide a detailed timeline or explanation of the incident.
Frustrated by the silence from the employer and the lack of official support, the family took to social media. Anil Tiwari posted an appeal on X (formerly Twitter) to India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, calling for intervention and urgent repatriation of Anurag’s body.
The Indian Embassy in Dubai responded swiftly, facilitating the return of the deceased engineer’s remains. His body was flown back to Lucknow on July 5.
The Jana 505 is registered under the Panamanian flag — a common practice known as “flag of convenience,” where shipowners register vessels in countries with more lenient maritime regulations. The practice, while legal, has drawn criticism for enabling lower safety and labor standards.
