Bhadrak, Feb 13: The family of Sarthak Mahapatra, a merchant navy cadet from Bhadrak district, who went missing on February 3 while serving aboard the Singapore-flagged vessel MV EA Jersey, is set to travel to Singapore in hopes of finding answers regarding his disappearance. Sarthak, aged 22, went missing while the ship was en route from West Africa to Singapore.

Speaking to Kalinga TV, Sarthak’s mother, Rashmita Mohapatra, shared her frustrations over the lack of information regarding her son’s disappearance. She and her younger brother are scheduled to fly to Singapore on February 14, with the vessel expected to dock there on February 15. Their trip aims to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance at sea.

“We are going there to get answers,” Mohapatra said. “We were told that Sarthak went missing from his room, but no further details have been shared with us. We are desperate to know what happened to him.”

Adding to their concerns, Rashmita claimed that the crew members who had been in contact with the family are no longer responding to their calls or WhatsApp messages.

“I am hopeful that if a thorough investigation is conducted by a dog squad and scientific team, we will find Sarthak. He went missing from his room, and I believe we can get him back,” she added.

The family has also taken proactive steps by sending an official email to the Indian government, requesting an investigative team to accompany them or to ask the Singaporean government for assistance in arranging a neutral team to help search for Sarthak.

Additionally, the family has requested the CCTV footage from two days before Sarthak’s disappearance to aid in their investigation.

Sarthak Mahapatra, who was with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, was reportedly last seen entering his cabin in the early hours of February 3. After being declared missing, the ship, which was sailing near Mauritius, continued its journey toward Singapore, with its final destination listed as China.

The disappearance of the young cadet has raised many questions, and his family is determined to get the truth about what happened during his time aboard the vessel.