Kerala sailor killed in Russian ship attack was only child, got engaged 3 months ago

Akhil Joyan, 26, was among four Indians who were killed on Sunday after a Russian attack on a cargo ship as it was departing Ukraine's Port of Odesa.

In Short

• Akhil Joyan was killed in Russian attack on cargo ship off Ukraine
• He was engaged 3 months ago and was to marry in April 2027
• Joyan's family learnt of his death through an email from the shipping company

Three months ago, 26-year-old Akhil Joyan got engaged in his hometown in Kerala's Kasargod district. A month ago, he rejoined work and was to get married in April next year. A merchant navy officer, he is among four Indians who were killed on Sunday in a Russian attack on a cargo ship off Ukraine.

Akhil was a native of Vellarikkundu in Kerala's Kasaragod district, and the only son of his parents. His father, Joyan, said his son's shipping company informed the family of the incident via email but that there has been no information since then.

"They said they will inform me once they get more details. After no information came till afternoon, I called them back, and they told me that two bodies of those killed in the attack have been identified and one is that of Akhil," Joyan told news agency PTI.

Explaining the communication pattern with his son, Joyan said that Akhil typically gave a missed call, and they would call him back. On Sunday evening also, the 26-year-old gave his father a missed call, but when his parents called back, his phone was switched off.

"He used to call frequently. He would give a missed call, and we would call him back," Joyan told PTI.

He said that, through a friend, he had brought the matter to Kasargod MP, Rajmohan Unnithan's attention, seeking his help to expedite the process of bringing Akhil's body back to India.

Joyan said that he has received a call of Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who assured him that all efforts are being made to ensure Akhil's body is brought as early as possible.

Shobi Joseph, ward member of Vellarikkundu, described Akhil, who joined the merchant navy at 19, as a disciplined young person, who was also a popular tug-of-war player in his neighbourhood. His father works at an electrical shop while his mother is an insurance agent. His family had recently built a house and depended largely on their only child for their future.

The Kerala CMO said that it has directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department to coordinate with the Russian Consulate and the Ministry of External Affairs to obtain further details.

Joseph said that Akhil's family is also in touch with the local MP and MLA to facilitate the repatriation of his body and complete other formalities.

Meanwhile, India has summoned the Russian envoy Vladimir Ladanov to convey New Delhi's strong objection to the attack on the ship.

The attack was launched when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel MV Golden Leo was departing Ukraine's Port of Odesa on Sunday. It had as many as 17 crew members, including five Indians. The External Affairs Ministry said that while four Indians were killed, one was hospitalised in a critical condition.

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