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ConflictIndian Embassy working to repatriate body of sailor killed in missile attack off Odesa
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The Indian Embassy is working to repatriate the body of Akhil Joel, a 26-year-old Indian sailor from Kasaragod, Kerala, who was among four Indians killed when the cargo ship MV Golden Leo was hit in an alleged Russian missile attack off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine. The ship was flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau. Joel served as the chief officer. The embassy has requested the family to undergo a DNA test to identify the body, and repatriation is expected within two weeks after testing. NoRKA-Roots, the Kerala government's field agency for non-resident Keralites, is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Mission in Ukraine to expedite the process.
Source report
Akhil Joel was among the four Indians killed after a cargo ship was hit in an alleged Russian missile attack off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine
Published: July 22, 2026 08:39 pm IST — THIRUVANANTHAPURAM By: The Hindu Bureau
The Indian Embassy has intensified efforts to repatriate the body of Akhil Joel, 26, a native of A.K.G. Nagar, Kasaragod. Joel was among the four Indians killed after a cargo ship was struck in an alleged Russian missile attack off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine.
According to officials at NoRKA-Roots — the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA) under the Kerala government — the Embassy has asked the family to undergo a DNA test to identify the body. The body is expected to be repatriated within two weeks once the testing procedures are completed.
The missile attack occurred near the port of Odesa on the ship MV Golden Leo, which was flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau. Joel was serving as the chief officer of the vessel.
NoRKA-Roots Chief Executive Officer Asif K. Yusuf is in contact with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Mission in Ukraine to expedite the repatriation procedures, authorities said.
Source
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