Bir Bahadur Yadav
Lucknow: Families of two Uttar Pradesh seafarers missing after a drone attack on a commercial tanker near Oman’s Sohar port on Oct 11 have demanded accountability from the ship’s captain, alleging lapses in emergency response and evacuation procedures. The missing crew members are Bir Bahadur Yadav (26) of Deoria and Amit Singh (20) of Kushinagar.
Bir’s elder brother Mantu Yadav said the family learnt about the incident through a recruitment agent. Their families say they were informed about the incident after the attack and are now seeking urgent intervention from Indian and Omani authorities to intensify search.
Recalling their last conversation on Oct 10, Mantu said Bir Bahadur had expressed concern over attacks on ships in the area.
Ravindra said he has approached the Directorate General of Shipping, seeking immediate intervention, coordination with Omani authorities, and a detailed account of the rescue operation. He said Amit had recently messaged his sister asking her to inform him when pending salary was credited. The family was planning his marriage after his return, he said.
Amit’s uncle Ravindra Singh, a senior merchant navy officer, alleged that the captain, an Indian, ordered evacuation without ensuring a complete headcount. He claimed that even after knowing that Amit and Bir were missing, the evacuation proceeded without an attempt to locate them on board. He further alleged that Amit, who had joined the vessel in Jan as an ordinary seaman, had not been paid for several months.
The rescued crew then asked fishermen to return to the vessel in case the missing sailors were nearby. The fishing boat reportedly circled the vessel twice while calling out, but received no response.