NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old man from Kerala working in the merchant navy was killed after the cargo vessel he was serving on allegedly came under a Russian strike off the Ukrainian coast, people close to his family said on Monday. His death came just two months before he was due to get married.The deceased, Akhil Joyan, was the only son of Joyan and Sally, residents of Vellarikkundu in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.Shobi Joseph, ward member of Vellarikkundu in Balal grama panchayat, told PTI that the family received an email from the shipping company informing them of Akhil’s death on Monday evening.“We are trying to gather more details and complete the necessary formalities. He joined the merchant navy at the age of 19,” Joseph said.According to Joseph, Akhil had returned to his hometown around three months ago for his engagement ceremony.“His marriage was scheduled to take place two months from now. The bride is from Alappuzha district. He returned to work a month back,” he said.Joseph described Akhil as a well-known and respected figure in the locality, who was also a popular tug-of-war player.“He was known as a well-behaved and disciplined youngster,” he said.He added that Akhil’s father worked at an electrical shop while his mother was an insurance agent.“They are an ordinary family, and their future depended largely on Akhil. They had recently constructed a house,” Joseph said.The family is now in touch with the local MP and MLA to seek assistance in bringing Akhil’s body back to India and completing other formalities.According to foreign media reports, Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said a cargo vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau was hit by Russian forces on Sunday shortly after leaving the port of Odesa. The vessel, carrying Ukrainian corn, was reportedly struck while at sea. The authority said eight people were rescued from the ship.India strongly condemned the attack, saying that targeting commercial shipping, endangering the lives of civilian crew members, or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce is deplorable and must be avoided.
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