JOIN USSecond suicide attempt by chief engineer of US ship
The chief engineer of detained US ship Seaman Guard Ohio, has once again allegedly attempted suicide in prison due to depression.
According to police sources, Sidorenko Valeriy, a Ukrainian national, had earlier tried to commit suicide while on-board the ship before the arrest.
The engineer's latest suicide attempt was foiled by other inmates in the jail, sources said adding that the Ukrainian was restless and talking to himself after he was lodged in prison.
Though jail authorities were tight-lipped about the engineer's suicide attempt, they said crew members and security guard of the vessel, lodged in Palayamkottai jail in Tirunelveli district, are fine.
“Except for Sidorenko, who is under stress, all are behaving well. We have offered them bread, jam, boiled eggs and potatoes,” a jail official said.
Meanwhile, officials from the US Consulate General at Chennai visited Palayamkottai prison where 35 crew members of a US firm owned ship, arrested for allegedly carrying arms in Indian waters, have been lodged.
In addition, officials from the British Deputy High Commission here met six of their compatriots who were among the crew members.
None of the Consulate officials were willing to talk to media regarding their meeting with the crew members.
A spokesperson from the US Consulate General said, “We do not have any comment at this time, but are monitoring the situation.”
Meanwhile, state Director General of Police K Ramanujam said in a statement that Tamil Nadu 'Q' branch police have arrested five people involved in illegally procuring diesel from the locality and transporting it to the vessel in a fishing boat. They were lodged in prison after being produced before the Tuticorin magistrate.
The vessel was manned by 10 crew members (two Ukrainians and eight Indians), along with 25 security guards (six British, 14 Estonians, one Ukrainian and four Indians).
The ship, belonging to a US-based company AdvanFort that provides maritime security, was detained by Indian Coast Guard last Saturday after it strayed into Indian territorial waters off Tuticorin coast.
Meanwhile, British Deputy High Commission officials on met crew members from UK of the detained ship M V Seaman Guard Ohio, who are currently under judicial custody after their arrest last week.
The vessel was impounded by the Coast Guard.