An Indian national was killed in an Iranian 'suicide' boat attack on a US-owned oil tanker near Iraq's Basra port. The Indian embassy confirmed that 15 other Indian crew members were evacuated to safety. The incident occurs amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict disrupting maritime traffic.
On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked by an Iranian 'suicide' boat off Khor Al Zubair port inside Iraq's territorial waters near Basra. One Indian national was killed in the attack, while the remaining 27 crew members were rescued and taken to Basra. The Indian embassy in Baghdad confirmed the death in a post on X, stating, 'On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place.' The embassy extended deepest condolences to the family and said it is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and the rescued Indian sailors, providing all possible assistance.
Sources close to Safesea expressed devastation over the loss of the Indian national and urged the Indian government to strongly condemn the attack and take urgent action to ensure crew safety on ships in the region amid the escalating West Asia conflict. They voiced concern that, as Indians constitute over 15% of global seafarers, they could become 'collateral damage' on any ship targeted by Iran.
The tanker, built in 2007, measures 228.6 meters in length and 32.57 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 42,010 and deadweight tonnage of 73,976. The incident occurred on the 12th day of the Iran-Israel war, as Iran has intensified attacks on Gulf states, disrupting global energy markets.
