Anxious parents of missing sailors of ill-fated Tanzanian ship wait for news with bated breath
While the city is prepping up for a pompous Republic Day, a family of three is grieving in a tiny 1bhk apartment in Vasai. They are glued to their mobile phones, 24X7, anxiously waiting for news about their only son who went missing in the Black Sea following a major fire on two Tanzanian-flagged ships.
28-year-old Rushikesh Sakpal was among the six Indians who went missing after the mishap. The only child of Raju and Rajshri Sakpal, Rushikesh got hitched only four months ago. He had to leave his wife, Bhavana, for assignment soon after.
Rushikesh Sakpal, who had graduated with a bachelor's degree in science had joined an Istanbul-based shipping company after completing merchant navy course four years ago.
"My son got a job in the shipping company through an Andheri-based recruitment agency Nimbus Maritime Services. He had left for the job soon after his marriage," said 53-year-old Raju, who works as an electrician.
Raju had spoken to Rushikesh on Sunday. "He said his ship had set its sail from Russia and would be sailing through the Black Sea. He said that he would come back to Russia soon," said Raju Sakpal in a quivering voice. While he is prepared for the worst, his wife Rajshri is still hopeful.
"On Wednesday, We heard the news about a major fire breaking out on two Tanzanian-flagged ships in the Black Sea. Our heart sank, we knew he was sailing on one of them. For a few minutes, I didn't know how to react. I just hope he is fine," said Rajshri.
AT A GLANCE
- Six Indians were killed and six others remain missing after a major fire broke out on two Tanzanian-flagged ships in the Black Sea
- The explosion took place when fuel was being transferred between Candy vessel and Maestro vessel
- Rushikesh Raju Sakpal, a resident of Vasai and Akshay Baban Jadhav, a resident of Kolhapur were among two of the six Indian sailors who went missing
- Both Akshay and Rushikesh were part of the navigation team of Candy vessel
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