Three Indian seafarers serving on board foreign‑flagged vessels were killed and one person injured amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) said in a statement. The DGS reported four incidents in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and adjoining sea areas involving Indian seafarers.
The DGS said it is closely monitoring the maritime security situation in these waters in light of recent regional and geopolitical developments, which have included reported missile and drone activity, electronic interference, and other maritime security concerns. According to the latest reports, there have been no confirmed instances of casualty, detention, or boarding involving Indian‑flagged vessels; monitoring and verification efforts are ongoing and Indian‑flagged ships continue to operate in the region.
A quick response team has been constituted by the Directorate General of Shipping to carry out immediate response, coordinate evacuations, and support Indian seafarers stranded in and around the Persian Gulf region as tensions rise.
Tensions have continued to escalate across West Asia with multiple strikes reported in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. On February 28, the US and Israel conducted airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities, targeting military command centres, air‑defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure. Those strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities.
In response, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict in the Middle East and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates.
