Due to increasing tension between Iran and America, commercial ships were also attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Amidst this tension that started in February, 15 Indian sailors have died and many others have also been injured. Recently when Iran attacked two oil tankers, Mombasa B and Al Bahya. One Indian crew member died and six other people were also injured. After this attack, India summoned Iranian diplomats to the Ministry of External Affairs. Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini was also included among them.
The UAE Defense Ministry said that both these ships were attacked while passing through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, in the territorial waters of Oman. Shipping company ADNOC L&S confirmed that both very large oil tankers (VLCC) were heavily damaged. 8 crew members of the ship were injured in this attack, including 6 Indians and 2 Ukrainians. The condition of 4 of the injured is said to be critical.
This latest incident is part of a growing list of incidents in which Indian sailors have become victims of the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. The same day, two Indian sailors were killed after an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker 'Skylight' near Musandam Peninsula, Oman. An Indian sailor died after a wooden boat (dhow) carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
An Indian sailor went missing after Iran attacked the Cyprus-flagged commercial ship 'GFS Galaxy' off the coast of Oman. Later, Oman Navy rescued 10 Indian crew members from the ship.
One Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa died, while eight others were injured. Six of the injured crew members were Indian citizens, while two were Ukrainian citizens.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil shipping routes, through which a large part of the world's energy supply passes. Thousands of Indian sailors work on commercial ships passing through this area. Due to increasing military tension between America and Iran, the danger to them has increased.
