TN seafarer dies on board tanker after fall

Antony Samy Kipson (22) from Punnaikayal, a coastal hamlet in Thoothukudi, succumbed to injuries which he suffered after falling into an oil tank while at work. The accident happened within a month of his first assignment as a seafarer, T Thomas, vice secretary, Punnaikayal Seamen Welfare Association, said on Sunday.

According to Thomas, he was informed that Kipson had an accidental fall from a ladder into the oil tank on May 14 while he was engaged in cleaning. Kipson was employed in repairing squad in the ship ‘JAG LALIT’. The incident happened within just two hours of the tanker setting off from Fujairah Port in Dubai to Gujarat. After he died in the accident, a small rescue boat took his body to the port, Thomas told DT Next.

His father Antony Samy, a fisherman, said the family was eagerly waiting for his arrival on leave. But, much to their agony, the family is now waiting to receive his body from Dubai.

Petitions seeking help to bring back his body was submitted to Thoothukudi Collector Sandeep Nanduri and to the External Affairs Ministry also through the Seamen Welfare Association, he said.

Recalling his struggle to get his son employed, a grief-stricken Antony Samy said he had to spend nearly Rs 4 lakh, which he managed to raise by pledging his wife’s jewels.