Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 11: At least two Indian nationals have been killed and another missing after merchant vessels they were aboard came under attack during the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.
The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters that the casualties occurred when the Indian citizens on commercial ships operating in the conflict-affected region came under attack. “There have been reports of some casualties. We have two Indian nationals whom we have lost, and one is missing. It happened when they were on merchant vessels which came under attack,” he said.
In addition to the fatalities and the missing person, several other Indians have been injured in separate incidents across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. One Indian national was reportedly wounded in Dubai and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, with the Indian consulate regularly in touch to ensure his well-being, Jaiswal added.
The MEA said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Indian missions and families to extend support and assistance.
Meanwhile, a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday shortly after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates prompting a swift response from Thailand’s navy and international maritime authorities, the Royal Thai Navy said. Twenty sailors have been rescued, but three still remain unaccounted for. The vessel, Mayuree Naree, a bulk carrier owned by the Thai company Precious Shipping Pcl, had left Khalifa Port in the UAE and was headed to Kandla Port in India when it came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was reportedly hit by projectiles from Iran near the Omani coast. Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The incident took place approximately 11 nautical miles (18 kilometres) north of Oman’s shoreline. At the time, the vessel was carrying oil and was en route to India. Thailand’s Royal Navy confirmed that it is coordinating with international partners to provide assistance and ensure the safety of the crew. Emergency support was dispatched immediately after the attack was reported.
Photos released by the Royal Thai Navy showed thick black smoke rising from the ship’s hull and superstructure, with life rafts visible in the surrounding water. The Royal Thai Navy said in a statement that “the specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation.” The statement added that Omani navy had rescued 20 sailors and “efforts are currently underway to rescue the remaining three crew members.”
Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said three commercial ships were attacked in the Gulf yesterday. It was not immediately clear if Mayuree Naree was one of those. As per the Royal Thai Navy statement, the ship is 178 metres long and displaces 30,000 tonnes.
The attack comes as the Middle East is gripped by a deepening crisis. Israel, backed by US military forces, launched strikes against Iran on 28 February. Tehran retaliated with strikes against Tel Aviv and Middle Eastern nations hosting American military bases, and has repeatedly threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical waterways for global energy supply.