Six Indians Dead as Gulf Conflict Strands Thousands of Seafarers
The escalation of regional conflict has taken a heavy toll on Indian nationals, with six confirmed deaths spanning Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. As tensions rise, the Indian government is monitoring the situation closely, including the status of one missing individual and the safety of thousands of Indian mariners currently operating in Gulf waters.
Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), stated that Indian diplomatic missions are working alongside local authorities to manage repatriation efforts and address the casualties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also noted the ongoing efforts to track the safety of those in the region.
Tragedy on the MV Cape Dao
The conflict claimed the life of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav, a wiper hailing from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred off the Musandam coast in Oman when the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier, MV Cape Dao, was struck by two projectiles.
One projectile impacted the C-deck, while another hit the engine room, resulting in a fatal head injury to Yadav. Following the attack, the Royal Navy of Oman successfully rescued 19 other Indian crew members from the vessel.
A Maritime Crisis Unfolding
The scale of the maritime disruption is immense. Currently, 163 Indian seafarers are stationed on 12 commercial vessels—comprising six Indian-flagged and six foreign-flagged ships—located west of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, an additional 4,500 Indian mariners are serving on other vessels throughout the region.
According to data from the Directorate General of Shipping, approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers are currently positioned in Gulf ports and waters. The distribution is as follows:
- UAE: 12,830
- Saudi Arabia: 3,131
- Qatar: 2,372
- Oman: 1,687
- Bahrain: 276
The situation is particularly dire for 768 Indian crew members who are reported to be trapped on 28 Indian-flagged tankers and cargo ships.