Expat crash victims’ bodies repatriated to India

Muscat: An official from the Indian Embassy in Oman has confirmed that the bodies of the two young men who died in an accident early Monday morning, have been repatriated to India.

Darwin Selvaraj and Prince Edward were returning home with a friend, after watching a football match, when their car smashed into an iron pillar near Star Cinema in Darsait at 3:15 am on May 7.

Both Darwin and Prince died on the spot, while the third passenger in the car, Percy Coelho, is slowly recovering, although he is still in the Intensive Care Unit at Khoula Hospital.

“The bodies were airlifted and reached India last night. The last rites were carried out yesterday, for one person, and the other person’s last rites are being carried out today. They were already airlifted yesterday,” stated an official at the Indian Embassy.

While Darwin’s body was repatriated at about 2:15 am on Wednesday morning, Edward’s body was taken home a little earlier, at 1:30 am.

Embassy officials also shed light on the role they normally play to arrange for bodies to be repatriated. “Our role is limited, because once the hospital declares that the person is dead, they issue a death certificate,” said the official. “Once done, we register the death in the Indian Embassy, and based on the wishes of the family, we issue a no-objection certificate for airlifting the mortal remains.

“On this basis, the sponsor gets clearance and this then goes to the airlines so they can issue the body,” he added.

“In many cases, we facilitate the needs of the family. If the sponsor is doing everything and he has a PRO who can complete local governmental formalities, we don’t intervene, but if somebody is here on a visit visa, and something unfortunate happens, then we facilitate with the various authorities.”

The embassy also remains on standby to attend to such cases at all hours of the day. “Even if the embassy is closed, we open it up to facilitate their needs. For many of them, this is the first time they have to deal with such unfortunate things, so even if we need to issue documents on a public holiday, or late at night, we do so,” added the official.

“About 11 copies of all documentation are required, because these need to go the cargo terminal, to immigration, and to the Ministry of Health in India, and other places where this documentation is needed. Systems are already in place, be it the airlines, customs, immigration and Indian authorities, so there is a procedure among both Indian and Omani governments,” he said.

Embassies are often the first points of contacts for expat families in Oman who have suffered such bereavement during their time in the Sultanate.

“We do assist wherever our help is needed,” explained the official. “We guide families and tell them what and how to do. We talk to the airlines and Royal Oman Police wherever required. In this case, the PRO was able to do everything, but when they first approached the embassy, we offered them whatever help they needed, because they are not aware of the formalities required.”