After Mozambique boat capsize, Kochi youth’s family continues anxious wait

Two days after a 22-year-old from Veliyanad near Piravom was reported missing in a boat capsize off the coast of Beira in Mozambique, his family and village continue their anxious wait.

Indrajith Santhosh, a hull inspector with a Kochi-based marine engineering firm, went missing after a launch boat capsized off the Beira port in Mozambique. He was heading to inspect a tanker, MT Sea Quest, anchored offshore on Thursday (October 16).

Indrajith was in Mozambique for work arranged through a Mumbai-based maritime company. Three Indian nationals were killed and one was injured in the accident, while five others were rescued, according to the Indian High Commission in Mozambique.

“According to the latest information received from the port agent concerned, the search team has located the capsized boat. However, the rescuers could not reach it today [Saturday, October 18, 2025] as the weather was not favourable. We have been told that divers will resume search operations focussing on the identified location, tomorrow [Sunday, October 18, 2025] morning,” Akil P.S., Indrajith’s cousin at Veliyanad, told The Hindu. Akhil stays near Indrajith’s house, where his mother Sheena and two younger brothers are waiting anxiously for updates from Mozambique.

Indrajith’s father K.N. Santhosh, who is a ship maintenance worker currently serving in South Africa, has made arrangements to return home in the wake of the boat accident. “He is travelling to the Port of Richards Bay in South Africa, and from there he will fly to India. He is scheduled to reach Kerala on Monday [October 20] afternoon,” Akhil said.

Both Santhosh and Indrajith had left home for their respective assignments just three days ago. While Santhosh flew to South Africa from the Kochi airport, Indrajith, along with his colleague Akash from Konni, went to Mozambique. Akash had a miraculous escape and is reported to be safe.

Meanwhile, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and Idukki MP Francis George have communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Mozambique, requesting their urgent intervention to strengthen the ongoing rescue operations. Piravom MLA Anoop Jacob also visited the family of Indrajith.