A week on, no trace of Odia Merchant Navy official missing near Mauritius

More than a week after Odia merchant navy official Sarthak Mahapatra went missing from deep waters near Mauritius, there is reportedly still no information about his whereabouts, raising concerns among his family and seafaring associations.

Sarthak, 23, disappeared under mysterious circumstances on February 3 while on board the merchant vessel EA Jersey, operated by Anglo Eastern Shipping Company. Despite search efforts, authorities have so far been unable to locate him.

Seafarers’ Association Raises Concern

Amid the continuing uncertainty, the Seafarers’ Association of Odisha held a press conference on Tuesday, expressing concern over the lack of concrete updates in the case. The association said the absence of clear information has left the family in distress.

Seafarers’ Association of Odisha president Navin Sarma said the situation remains unclear even days after the incident.

“Today, Sarthak’s family is going through a very difficult time as they do not know what has happened to him. The incident occurred on February 3, 2026, and even after more than a week, we have no real ground-level information from the authorities,” Sarma said.

He added that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of central maritime authorities. “In India, the authority is the Government of India through the Director General of Shipping, which has to provide adequate instructions and directions regarding the status of the investigation,” he said.

Disappearance During Voyage

According to information, Sarthak joined Anglo Eastern Shipping Company in July 2025 and was serving on EA Jersey. He went missing while the ship was returning from Singapore to China. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear.

Also Read: Odisha Merchant Navy official goes missing near Malaysian waters, search operation underway

Background Of The Case

As reported earlier, Sarthak, a native of Odisha, went missing on February 3 while on duty aboard the vessel in deep waters near Mauritius. Search operations were initiated after he could not be traced on board. His family has since appealed for intervention, seeking clarity and sustained efforts to locate him.