A Seabourn head sommelier died after suffering a severe head injury during an alleged attack in Nice, France, with his family also raising concerns over the subsequent repatriation of his remains to India.
Vincent Gomez, known to his family as Sujoy, was returning from shore leave with another crew member when the incident occurred after his cruise ship called at Nice on 30th April 2026.
His sister, Sharon Gomes Dahlberg, said three men approached the pair as they were making their way back to the ship. The family believes the incident may have been an attempted robbery.
According to Sharon, Vincent was punched in the face and fell backwards, striking his head on the ground. Local residents came to assist before he was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Vincent remained in critical condition and was subsequently declared brain dead by doctors, according to his family. Sharon travelled to France after learning what had happened and said she was told shortly after reaching the hospital that her younger brother had only hours to live.
The family says life support was withdrawn on 5th May, with Sharon at his bedside.
“I never in my life thought that this day would come to our family,” she wrote. “It’s so unfair to us.”
Police Investigation Following Nice Incident
Sharon said she later filed a police report with assistance from friends and was informed by French police that a suspect had been arrested. She also said surveillance footage had recorded the incident.
The family’s account of an arrest is consistent with reporting in France shortly after the attack that a suspect had been detained following an assault involving two cruise ship crew members near the Port of Nice.
However, the family’s description of the possible motive behind the attack has not been publicly established by French authorities.
Vincent had worked in the cruise industry and was serving as a Head Sommelier for Seabourn at the time of the incident. His family described him as ambitious, hardworking and committed to his career, as well as a kind and humble person away from his professional life.
“Vincent was an exceptionally kind, hardworking, and respected crew member who loved his job, and his loss has left an irreplaceable void in our lives. The dignity of his life and service absolutely deserves to be remembered, and we want the truth of what happened to be told.” said his sister.
Family Raises Concerns Over Repatriation
The family has also made allegations concerning the arrangements for returning Vincent’s remains to India.
Sharon said Seabourn took responsibility for the repatriation process and that the family received repeated assurances that her brother’s remains were being kept in appropriate conditions while the required procedures were completed.
His remains were eventually returned to India on 6th July, around two months after his death.
According to Sharon, the condition in which her brother’s body arrived caused the family additional distress. Her allegations regarding the repatriation arrangements have not been independently established, and no response from Seabourn to those specific claims was included in the information available.
A funeral service was held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Thane on 6th July, allowing Vincent’s parents, relatives and friends to gather for his funeral after the lengthy repatriation process.
His sister has continued to pay tribute to him in the months following his death, describing the impact the loss has had on the family.
“Sometimes I dream that you never left,” she wrote in her tribute. “Waking up from that dream feels like losing you all over again. I miss you every single minute.”
