The sudden death of Indian captain Rakesh Ranjan (43) on active duty in international waters has caused shock across the country. Ranjan, serving as the captain of the oil tanker Avana, suffered a heart attack while the vessel was stranded near the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred in a conflict zone, and with his body still abroad, the news has left his family in deep grief.
Ranjan, a resident of Ranchi, had been commanding the Avana tanker for some time. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the vessel came to a halt just 14 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz. On March 18, while on duty, he collapsed suddenly. Fellow crew members identified the episode as a likely heart attack.
Efforts to provide immediate medical assistance were hampered by the wartime conditions, which prevented evacuation by air. Ranjan was eventually transported in a small boat to Port Rashid in Dubai, but doctors confirmed that he had passed away before reaching the port. Authorities have stated that the precise cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem report.
Ranjan’s body remains in Dubai, and his family—wife and two children—is mourning his loss. They have appealed to the central and state governments to expedite repatriation. Ranjan’s brother has submitted petitions to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, requesting that the Ministry of External Affairs engage with Dubai authorities to ensure the swift return of the captain’s body in accordance with international protocols.