Indian sailor beaten to death by irate colleagues over cartoon row

DUBAI: An Indian sailor was allegedly beaten to death by his colleagues on board a Norwegian oil tanker in the international waters off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE following an argument over the cartoon row.

A fight ensued among the seamen after an argument over the cartoon issue, causing the death of one sailor, a media report said.

Official sources confirmed the death of 31-year-old Sudheer Nonia Jagannathan, hailing from Mumbai, but refused to comment on the issue.

"We have been informed about the death. Our officials visited the Fujairah Hospital and collected the details. The investigation is going on and once it is over, the consulate will render all the help to repatriate the body," an Indian official told the Khaleej Times.

The entire crew on the ship was from India. The ship was coming from New Manglore Port in Karnataka and going towards Fujairah with chemicals. The deceased worked as a fitter on the ship. The captain of the oil tanker has denied any foul play. He and his crew members were remanded to custody of the Fujairah Police, the report added.