Main content
The sinking of the SS Tilawa: the ‘Indian Titanic’
In 1942, a ship carrying more than 950 passengers from India to East Africa was sunk by Japanese torpedoes. Ben Henderson speaks to the last two known survivors.
On 23 November 1942, in the middle of the Second World War, a ship called the SS Tilawa was carrying more than 950 passengers and crew from India to East Africa when it was sunk by Japanese torpedoes.
Two hundred and eighty people died. The ship became known as the 'Indian Titanic'.
Ben Henderson speaks to the last two known survivors, Arvind Jani and Tej Prakash Mangat.
(Photo: Arvind Jhani and Tej Prakash Mangat. Credit: their families)
Last on
Wed 10 May 2023
02:50GMT
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service
Broadcasts
- Tue 9 May 2023 07:50GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service
- Tue 9 May 2023 11:50GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service
- Tue 9 May 2023 17:50GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Tue 9 May 2023 21:50GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Wed 10 May 2023 02:50GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service
Podcast
-
![]()
Witness History
History as told by the people who were there
