Three Indians die in Muscat amid dangers on land and sea

Three separate incidents claimed the lives of Indian nationals in and around Muscat during the week of September 28, 2026, drawing renewed attention to the risks faced by the South Asian expatriate community in Oman. A medical representative was found dead at his apartment days after returning from a holiday, a seafarer died when his merchant vessel was attacked off the coast, and a longtime resident cricketer collapsed on the field during a match. Together the cases reflect the range of dangers Indian workers encounter far from home, from maritime violence to sudden cardiac emergencies at recreational grounds.

Kerala medical representative found dead at Wadi Kabir flat

A 42-year-old Indian medical representative was found dead at his residence in Wadi Kabir, Muscat, just days after returning from a holiday in India. The man, identified as Shivakumar Mohankumar, was a native of Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. He had recently arrived back in Oman after spending his leave at home and was discovered dead at his apartment shortly afterward. According to Gulf News, no further details were immediately available about when he was last seen alive or what caused his death, and it was not confirmed whether authorities had launched a formal investigation. No indication of foul play was mentioned in the report. Mohankumar worked as a medical representative, a role that typically involves marketing pharmaceutical products to clinics and healthcare facilities, a profession held by many educated Indian professionals across the Gulf region. His death adds to a series of incidents involving Indian expatriates in Oman covered by Gulf News in recent months, including an earlier seafarer death off the Omani coast and a woman who died in the UAE. Kerala remains one of the largest sources of expatriate workers for Oman, with many families depending on remittances from relatives working across healthcare, services, and the private sector. [1]

Indian seafarer killed in vessel attack off Oman coast, MEA responds

An Indian crew member was killed after the merchant vessel MV Cape Dao was attacked off the coast of Oman. Of the 20 Indian seafarers on board, 19 were rescued, with one losing his life in the incident. The Ministry of External Affairs responded with a statement calling for an immediate end to targeting seafarers and civilians, stressing that maritime workers must be protected from armed attacks. The MEA confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Muscat was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating support for those affected. The New Indian Express reported the incident on September 23, 2026. Indian seafarers make up a significant share of the global commercial maritime workforce, and attacks on vessels in high-risk corridors have repeatedly prompted statements from Indian diplomatic and government bodies in recent years. The area around the Oman coast and the Strait of Hormuz has seen heightened risk for merchant shipping, with reports of unmanned boats and armed groups targeting vessels. For the families of the 20 crew members aboard MV Cape Dao, the period following the attack meant waiting for news about survivors and, in one case, confirmation of a death while the government worked to arrange assistance and support for repatriation. [2]

Cricketer from Kerala dies after collapsing during match in Al Hail

Shabeer Basheer, a 35-year-old cricketer originally from Thuravoor in Kerala's Alappuzha district, collapsed and died while playing a tennis ball cricket match at a ground in Al Hail, Muscat. Basheer was the captain of the Jiffnain Challengers and suffered a sudden health emergency on the field, reportedly between 9 and 9.30 in the morning. Fellow players called for help immediately and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors administered CPR and emergency treatment, but could not save his life. He had lived in Oman for 14 years and worked for Electroman LLC. He is survived by his wife, who works at a private hospital in Muscat, and one child. The Times of Oman reported that initial formalities were completed and arrangements were being made to repatriate his body to India. A tribute shared by a fellow cricketer described Basheer as a dear friend and the captain whose sudden loss was a deep shock to the team. His death prompted calls from club owners and fellow players for mandatory medical checkups for amateur athletes and wider training in CPR techniques at sporting venues. The outlet noted that similar deaths involving amateur cricketers and a badminton player have occurred in Oman in prior years, with unverified accounts suggesting around six such deaths in the past five years. [5]

Sources: [1] Gulf News · [2] The New Indian Express · [5] Times of Oman