Mumbai sailor killed by mates

AN INDIAN sailor was allegedly beaten to death by his colleagues on board a Norwegian oil tanker in the first week of February in the international waters off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE following an argument over the cartoon row. A fight ensued among the seamen after an argument over the cartoon issue, causing the death, a media report said on Wednesday. His body was found on February 6.

AN INDIAN sailor was allegedly beaten to death by his colleagues on board a Norwegian oil tanker in the first week of February in the international waters off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE following an argument over the cartoon row.
A fight ensued among the seamen after an argument over the cartoon issue, causing the death, a media report said on Wednesday. His body was found on February 6.

HT Image

Officials in Dubai confirmed the death of 31-year-old Sudhir Nonia Jagannathan, hailing from Mumbai, but refused to comment. “We’ve been informed about the death,” an Indian official told the Khaleej Times. “Our officials visited the
Fujairah Hospital and collected the details. The investigation is going on.”

The captain of the tanker (Champion Pioneer) has denied any foul play. He and his crew members were remanded in custody of the Fujairah Police, the report said.

The ship had an all-Indian crew. Sudhir was a fitter on the vessel.
Captain Sanjeev Vadhavkar of Genoa Maritime (Cyprus) Ltd. — liaisoning agents for Champion Tankers in Mumbai — told HT:

“The matter is under investigation. We don’t have any information about the incident.”
In Mumbai, Sudhir’s sister said, “We’re very disturbed. We too do not know what exactly happened. We’re waiting for his body.”