Baghdad: An Indian crew member was killed after a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, was attacked by Iran near Basra, Iraq, on Wednesday. The remaining 15 Indian sailors on board were safely evacuated and moved to a secure location, the Indian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed.
The attack occurred in the Persian Gulf, where another oil tanker was also reported to have caught fire after being struck in Iraq’s territorial waters. Iran claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that an underwater drone strike had targeted the vessels.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the operation involved underwater drones that “blew up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.” The vessels attacked were the Maltese-flagged tanker Zefyros and the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu. The Safesea Vishnu is owned by US-based Safesea Transport Inc., while the Zefyros is owned by a Greek company.
The Indian Embassy in Baghdad stated it was in continuous contact with Iraqi authorities and the rescued sailors. “On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, resulting in the death of one Indian crew member. The remaining 15 Indian crew members have been evacuated to a safe location,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The embassy also said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with authorities to ensure the safety of the evacuated sailors. “The Embassy of India in Baghdad is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and the rescued Indian sailors, offering all possible assistance,” the statement added. Expressing sympathy over the loss of life, the mission conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased. “The Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member,” it said.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the region and growing threats to maritime traffic. Iran had previously warned that it would “set fire” to any ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply moves. Despite this warning, a limited amount of shipping traffic has continued, though overall movement has declined significantly due to security concerns.
Meanwhile, the administration of US President Donald Trump said American forces had taken action to counter potential threats in the strait. The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has now entered its 12th day, showing no signs of ending soon. The escalation has severely disrupted maritime trade in the region and triggered sharp increases in global oil prices amid fears of further supply disruptions.
With IANS inputs