Merchant Navy Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra Missing Off Malaysian Waters for 70 Hours
Merchant Navy Cadet Missing Mid-Sea, Family Seeks Probe Into Company Actions: More than 72 hours after Merchant Navy cadet Sarthak Mohapatra went missing at sea, the search operation has been intensified with the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Acting on a request from the Odisha government, the MEA is maintaining constant communication with maritime authorities in Mauritius and Malaysia, as the vessel was sailing through Mauritian waters en route to Singapore.
According to shipping company Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, a distress alert has been issued through VHF, MF and HF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) systems, alerting all nearby ships to assist in the search. Company records show that a general alarm was sounded at 9:40 am on February 3, and the ship’s speed was reduced at 9:48 am, after which it entered search mode. Despite continuous efforts, no trace of Sarthak has been found so far.
Sarthak’s family has raised serious concerns over the ship’s response. His mother, Rashmita Mohapatra, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on social media platform X, questioning why the vessel did not immediately turn back if he was missing since 8:30 am. The family suspects that crucial information may be withheld and has not ruled out the possibility of a conspiracy.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has taken a strict stand, urging the Central Government to interrogate all crew members of the ship ‘EA Jersey’ to establish the truth. Back in Keshpur village of Bhadrak district, friends, relatives, and local leaders have gathered at Sarthak’s home, praying for his safe return as the family continues to seek justice and clarity.
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