In a shocking incident that has gripped Odisha, 23-year-old merchant navy cadet Sarthak Mahapatra from Bhadrak district has vanished at sea, prompting Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik to urge immediate intervention from the central government. The Biju Janata Dal chief expressed deep concern over the mysterious disappearance aboard the ship ‘EA Jersey,’ operated by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, en route from Mauritius to Singapore.
Patnaik took to social media platform X, stating that the news of Sarthak’s disappearance is deeply troubling. ‘My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time,’ he wrote, calling on the Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with relevant agencies, expedite search efforts, and ensure the young cadet is found safe.
Sarthak joined the vessel as a deck cadet on July 14, 2025. The family received a distressing call from the company on February 3, 2026, informing them that he was missing. Last contact was on February 2 night around 9 PM when he spoke to his mother and connected with relatives and friends—everything seemed normal then.
Crew reports indicate Sarthak finished his duty shift from 4 AM to 8 AM on February 3 and returned to his cabin around 6:15 AM. When he didn’t reappear, a thorough search was launched on board, followed by a sea operation involving Mauritius Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and other agencies. Yet, no clues have surfaced.
The family, particularly Sarthak’s mother Rassmita Sahu, a nurse in a Bhubaneswar private hospital, is devastated. She has publicly appealed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the External Affairs Ministry for help. ‘I am a helpless mother begging for my son’s safe return,’ she posted online.
Questions loom large: No CCTV footage, no detailed reports, and scant details on circumstances. As political pressure mounts with Patnaik’s vocal demand, the hope clings that Sarthak will be located soon, highlighting the perils faced by young seafarers and the need for robust safety protocols at sea.