The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has reported that three Indian seafarers serving on foreign‑flagged vessels were killed and one person wounded as regional tensions in West Asia intensified. The DGS said four separate incidents involving Indian seafarers occurred in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and adjacent sea areas.
The agency said it is closely monitoring maritime security in these waters amid recent geopolitical developments, noting reports of missile and drone activity, electronic interference and other security concerns at sea. According to DGS updates, there have been no confirmed cases of casualties, detentions or boardings involving Indian‑flagged vessels; monitoring and verification work is ongoing and Indian‑flagged ships continue to operate in the region.
To respond to the situation, the DGS has set up a quick response team to coordinate immediate action, support evacuations and assist Indian seafarers who are stranded or affected in and around the Persian Gulf region.
Regional violence has continued to escalate, with strikes reported in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. On February 28, the US and Israel carried out airstrikes across several Iranian cities, targeting military command centres, air‑defence systems, missile sites and key regime infrastructure. Those strikes were reported to have killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, and to have caused large explosions in Tehran and other major cities.
In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and regional allies, including strikes affecting Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The exchanges have broadened the conflict across the Middle East and increased dangers for civilians, expatriates and maritime personnel operating in and near these waters.
