Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing Chinese Sailor Recovered at Paradip Port

A somber pall has fallen over Paradip Port in Odisha following the tragic recovery of the body of Liu Guanghui, a Chinese sailor who had been missing for four days. The grim discovery on Saturday, September 7th, brought an end to an intense search operation, confirming the worst fears of his colleagues and authorities.

Guanghui, a crew member aboard the cargo vessel MV Hai Yu, vanished mysteriously from the ship's deck on the morning of September 3rd.

The vessel, laden with iron pellets and preparing to set sail for China, was docked at the bustling port when his disappearance was first reported, triggering immediate concern and a widespread search.

Upon receiving the report of the missing sailor, a multi-agency search mission was promptly launched.

Marine police, the Indian Coast Guard, and officials from the Paradip Port Trust, along with local Jagatsinghpur police, meticulously combed the port waters and surrounding areas. Their efforts, however, yielded no trace of Guanghui until today's heartbreaking find.

The body was finally fished out from the port waters by marine police personnel, who were able to identify it as Liu Guanghui.

While the initial assessment points towards drowning as the probable cause of death, authorities are awaiting the official post-mortem report to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident. The local police have registered a case of unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC, signaling a thorough investigation into the matter.

The MV Hai Yu, which had been scheduled to depart for China on the very day of Guanghui's disappearance, was detained at the port as the search and investigation unfolded.

The Chinese Embassy in India has been officially informed of the tragedy, and the Consulate General of China in Kolkata is also actively involved, coordinating with Indian authorities regarding the repatriation of the deceased's remains and other necessary procedures.

This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks faced by seafarers and casts a shadow over the usually bustling maritime activities at Paradip Port.

Investigations are ongoing to understand if any foul play was involved or if it was a tragic accident, as the community mourns the loss of a life far from home.