Engineer’s SOS after ship next door gets missile hits
Times of India | 12 March 2026
Kolkata: A 35-year-old electrical engineer from Bengal, Gautam Debnath, along with three of his colleagues, was stranded aboard a cargo vessel at Iran's Abbas Port amid escalating tensions and missile strikes in the region. According to family members, Debnath left in Dec to work on electrical engineering assignments on the cargo ship.
"The vessel departed from Sri Lanka about 40 days ago but got stuck after reaching the Iranian port. Debnath informed us that a missile struck another ship anchored behind their vessel only on Monday, destroying it and triggering panic among the crew. Fearing for their safety, Debnath appealed to both the state and central govts for help in returning home safely," said Banti Debnath, his cousin.
According to sources, Debnath, a resident of Bokchara village under Gaighata PS, went abroad to work as an electrical engineer on a merchant vessel. But, what began as a routine assignment turned into a terrifying ordeal for him and his family back home. According to family members, Debnath joined the cargo ship last Dec. Around 40 days ago, the vessel departed from Sri Lanka and later reached Iran's Bandar Abbas port, where it remained stranded since then.
"The situation turned more alarming after a missile struck another vessel positioned just behind their ship, destroying it completely. Debnath managed to inform us about the incident during a brief phone call, which heightened their fears," a family member said.
Sources said communication was extremely difficult as mobile network connectivity near the port remained weak.
Despite the tense circumstances, Debnath reportedly told his family that there was adequate food and drinking water on board the vessel.
Debnath's elderly mother is unwell and the family did not inform her about the full extent of the situation.