Indians Lost Lives West Asia Conflict: Iran crisis: MEA says five Indians killed, one missing in conflict; two LPG vessels cross Strait of Hormuz safely | India News
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Asim Mahajan said India’s missions in the region are working round-the-clock to assist affected citizens and coordinate with local authorities.
“We have five Indians who have lost their lives and one is missing in an earlier incident. Our missions in Oman, Iraq, UAE are in touch with the authorities concerned about the missing Indian national and for speedy repatriation of the dead bodies after completing the necessary formalities,” Mahajan said.
Missions are operating around the clock in conflict-torn areas
Mahajan said Indian missions are open round-the-clock and are actively involved in all relief efforts as the conflict continues to disrupt travel, shipping and daily life in parts of the Middle East.He said the Ministry of External Affairs is working closely with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to extend all assistance to Indian seafarers in the region.For Indian nationals in Bahrain and Kuwait, where direct flights are currently not operating, Mahajan said authorities are assisting with visa extensions and transit visas to enable them to return to India via Saudi Arabia.
Updates on the Oman and Safsea Vishnu incidents
Providing an update on the attack in Oman’s Sohar city, Mahajan said two Indians were killed and 10 injured, though none of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.“Our mission is on the ground and providing all assistance and is in constant contact with the concerned Omani authorities, local companies, hospitals and the families of the affected Indians. The embassy is also coordinating to facilitate the speedy return of the bodies of the two deceased Indian nationals to India,” he said, according to news agency ANI.On the safe Vishnu incident, Mahajan said officials are working for the speedy return of the 15 crew members who were safely evacuated and are currently staying at a hotel in Basra, Iraq.“They are also working with the authorities concerned for the speedy return of the body of the Indian citizen to India,” he added, according to ANI.
Two Indian LPG carriers have cleared the Strait of Hormuz
In the same briefing, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, said two Indian-flagged LPG carriers – Shivalik and Nanda Devi – have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are now bound for India with about 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG.Two ships crossed the narrow and collision-prone shipping lane early on Saturday, taking the number of Indian ships that have safely passed through the strait to three.Shivalik is expected to arrive at Mundra port in Gujarat on March 16, while Nanda Devi is expected to dock at Kandla on March 17.As cargo is seen as critical, shipping disruptions affect LPG supply. India imports about 60 percent of its LPG requirements and 85-90 percent of those imports come from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates via the Strait of Hormuz.
More Indian ships are still on standby
Despite the progress, 22 Indian-flagged ships remain stranded on the western side of the strait, and three more are still on the eastern side.The 22 ships on the west side have 611 sailors and the three ships on the east side have 76 sailors. These include LPG ships, an LNG carrier, crude oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and other cargo ships.“Several of our ships are on standby in the Gulf. We propose to continue communication and coordination with all concerned countries to ensure a safe and uninterrupted transit for them in our efforts to ensure energy security,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the briefing.The developments come as the war in the Middle East enters its 15th day with continued firefights, fears of a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz and growing concerns over global energy supplies and regional security.
