West Asia conflict escalates: Indian seafarer killed in Iranian attack on US-owned oil tanker near Iraq's Basra

An Indian seafarer was killed after a crude oil tanker came under attack in waters near Basra in Iraq amid the West Asia war that began after the USIsrael joint attack on IranThe vessel identified as MT SafeSea Vishnu was reportedly struck by an explosiveladen unmanned speedboat while operating in the region Fifteen other Indian crew members on board were rescued and are safe officials said on ThursdayAccording to the Directorate General of Shipping in Mumbai the incident occurred at around 2100 hours UTC on March 11 2026The tanker MT SafeSea Vishnu sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands was carrying about 48000 metric tonnes of naphtha at the timePreliminary reports suggest that a white unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the tanker from the starboard side and rammed into it causing a major fire on boardThe ship was conducting shiptoship cargo loading operations off the Khor Al Zubair Port near Basra when the attack took place an official statement saidDirectorate General of Shipping Mumbai says that at approximately 2100 hrs UTC on 11 March 2026 the oil tanker MT SAFESEA VISHNU which was carrying around 48000 metric tonnes of naphtha was struck by a whitecoloured unmanned speedboat carrying explosives as per preliminaryhellip pictwittercom9Gd6zhQoT1mdash ANI ANI March 12 2026Crew abandoned shipFollowing the explosion and fire all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water to escape the blazeThey were later rescued by a nearby shiptoship operations tug working in the areaThe Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members including 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals and transported them safely towards the Port of BasraAmong the rescued crew 15 Indians survived including the vesselrsquos captainIndian embassy assisting survivorsThe Embassy of India in Baghdad confirmed the death of one Indian crew member and said it is in constant contact with Iraqi authoritiesOfficials said the rescued sailors are currently safe and located on a small island near BasraThe embassy added that it is providing all necessary assistance and support to the Indian nationals affected by the incidentOn March 11 2026 a USowned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu sailing under the Marshall Islands flag was attacked near Basra Iraq in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place Embassy ofhellipmdash India In Iraq EI_Baghdad March 12 2026Govt monitoring security situationIn an official statement the Directorate General of Shipping expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased seafarerAuthorities said the attack highlights the growing security risks faced by commercial vessels operating in the Persian Gulf regionIndian officials said they are closely monitoring developments in coordination with international and regional authoritiesFurther updates are expected as investigations into the incident continue it said