The mortal remains of 25-year-old Indian seafarer Dixit Solanki arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, weeks after he was killed in a suspected drone boat attack off the coast of Oman amid the West Asia conflict.
Solanki, who was employed on an oil tanker, died on March 4 when an explosive-laden drone boat struck the vessel in the Arabian Sea.
His father, Amratlal Solanki, and sister, Mitali Solanki, received the body at the cargo terminal of Mumbai airport. The repatriation followed the family’s petition to the Bombay High Court, filed three days earlier, asking the court to direct authorities to expedite the return of his remains.
In their petition, the family said they had encountered delays and unclear communication from officials. They also stated that repeated emails to the company operating the tanker failed to provide sufficient information about the incident or the steps being taken.
The family has requested access to all investigation and forensic records related to the attack. They say transparency is necessary for closure and for understanding exactly what happened.
The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by seafarers working in and near conflict zones and highlights the need for timely coordination among authorities, shipping companies and consular services to ensure prompt repatriation and clear communication with families. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
