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Indian crew member killed in attack on US-owned ship near Iraq's Basra port; 15 rescued
The man was onboard the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu that was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag.
An Indian man has been killed after two ships were attacked in Iraqi waters near Basra, Indian embassy in Baghdad said. The man was onboard the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu that was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag when it came under attack on Wednesday. Fifteen other Indian crew members have been evacuated to safety. Track updates on Iran US war
“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 said in a post on X.
The embassy said that it is in touch with the Iraqi authorities as well as the 15 crew members who have been rescued. “Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member,” it further said. Follow updates on Middle East conflict
It wasn't immeditaley clear if the ships were attacked by drone or explosive-laden boats, AFP reported, citing an employee at the Basra port.
Also read: How oil tanker, headed to India, went 'dark' in Strait of Hormuz to evade US-Iran war
Iraq's General Company for Ports, Farhan Al-Fartousi, reportedly said that one crew member had been killed and 38 rescued while the "search continues for the missing".
The Iraqi government's media cell told national news agency INA that “two tankers were subject to sabotage”, while Iraq's oil ministry xpressed "deep concern" over the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf.
As the war between US and Iran in the Middle East rages on, ships near the Strait of Hormuz have come under attack with Iran taking control of the key energy passage.
Iraq’s State Organisation for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) confirmed the attack on Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros were atatcked in its territorial waters. Following the strikes, Iraq suspended operations at its oil terminals, according to comments from the director of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Bloomberg reported.
“This event negatively impacts Iraq’s security and economy, and poses a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and oil activities in Iraqi territorial waters,” SOMO said.
