The mortal remains of Patnala Suresh, the 44-year-old Chief Marine Engineer from Sriharipuram who was killed in a military strike on the MT Settebello near the Oman coast, will arrive in Visakhapatnam on Friday, family sources told The Hindu on Thursday.

Suresh, a veteran mariner with nearly two decades of experience, was among three Indian crew members who lost their lives in the US military strike earlier this month.

After days of uncertainty and an intensive search operation, his body was identified and cleared for repatriation. The process has been coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Muscat, with support from Andhra Pradesh Bhavan officials.

The tragedy has left his family – including his wife, Bhargavi, and their two sons – in deep shock. Suresh had completed his contract and was eagerly preparing to return home for his 15th wedding anniversary on June 24, a milestone the family will now observe in mourning.

Local officials and community members are expected to gather to pay their final respects as the city prepares to receive him for the last rites on Friday.