MUMBAI: Kandivli resident Deonandan Prasad Singh (54) was killed after the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu, on which he was serving, came under attack near Khor Al Zubair Port, close to Basra, Iraq, on Wednesday, according to the director general of shipping, ministry of port, shipping and waterways.In a press release on March 12, the ministry had confirmed the death of one Indian seafarer. An official said Singh, serving as the additional chief engineer (superintendent) aboard the vessel, died following the attack.Also read: ‘The suicidal ship’: Who was Mumbai engineer Deonandan Prasad Singh
Singh’s family alleged he had been on shore duty for over seven years after leaving sailing work, having served on the engineering side for almost 25 years, before the company forced him to rejoin a ship three days before the war began when the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28.“Singh was killed almost two weeks after joined the vessel at Iraq. It is sort of forcing him to join as he has signed the agreement with the company and in a corporate world one has to abide the company’s rules and regulations. Despite having stopped sailing and having taken a shore desk job, he was sent to die. The company forced him to join the ship as per the contract clause he had signed and joined the ship in Iraq three days prior to the war began,” a family member said.“Singh sustained severe injuries during the incident and later succumbed to them. Authorities and relevant maritime agencies have been informed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is underway,” a ministry official said.Following the incident, all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water. They were rescued by an STS tug. The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals, and transported them the port of Basra.The DG Shipping office in Mumbai remained tight-lipped. The shipping company Bravo Shipping Management, was yet to revert to a mail sent by TOI. The management of MT Safesea Vishnu and associated stakeholders expressed condolences to Singh’s family.The alumni cell of BIT Sindri posted a condolence message on on Facebook.We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of the seafarer and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. However, we would like to clarify that the vessel involved is not under the management of Executive Ship Management. Mr. Deonandan Prasad Singh was formerly part of the company’s shore team and had separated from our organization in July 2024. We request that this clarification be noted to avoid any misunderstanding,” said Capt Anil Arora Director Executive Ship Management Pvt. Ltd.
