India reports 11 seafarers killed in West Asia conflicts, 16 total deaths since Feb. 28
The government says 4,200 Indian seafarers have been repatriated from the Strait of Hormuz while vessels continue to face missile attacks.
By Felo News Desk · Published
India's Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar told a press conference on Thursday that 11 Indian seafarers have been killed in conflicts in West Asia and the Persian Gulf, while a senior ministry official added five more deaths in the Black Sea, bringing the total to 16 since Feb. 28.
What happened
Since the start of the US‑Iran war on Feb. 28, missile attacks have repeatedly struck vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The government says 4,232 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated from the area, and 74 Indian‑interest vessels – including 25 Indian‑flagged ships – have passed through the strait in that period. Eight Indian‑flagged ships remain in the region, six operating safely and two container vessels under heightened risk.
What the reports add
New Indian Express reported the total death toll of 16 Indian seafarers, specifying that 11 deaths occurred in West Asia and the Persian Gulf and five in the Black Sea. News18 echoed the figure of 11 deaths in West Asia and added that 4,200 seafarers have been brought back from the Strait of Hormuz. Both outlets cite Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar as the source of the numbers.
What was said
"Conflicts in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region have claimed the lives of 11 Indian seafarers," Vijay Kumar said, according to both New Indian Express and News18. The senior Shipping Ministry official, unnamed in the reports, said five additional Indian seafarers were killed in the Black Sea.
How it came about
The surge in maritime casualties follows the escalation of hostilities after the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, killing Iran’s supreme leader and top commanders. Earlier this month, Felo News covered related security concerns in the Black Sea, noting drone strikes on commercial vessels off Bulgaria (Bulgaria’s president says Russia’s war in Ukraine is eroding Black Sea security). The same geopolitical tensions underpin the risks faced by Indian‑flagged ships in both regions.
Key facts
- 11 Indian seafarers have died in West Asia and Persian Gulf conflicts since Feb. 28. (newindianexpress.com)
- A senior ministry official said five Indian seafarers were killed in the Black Sea. (newindianexpress.com)
- 4,232 Indian seafarers have been repatriated from the Strait of Hormuz area. (newindianexpress.com)
- 74 vessels of Indian interest have transited the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, including 25 Indian‑flagged ships. (newindianexpress.com)
Where accounts differ
- Total number of Indian seafarers killed since Feb. 28: 16 total deaths (11 in West Asia, 5 in Black Sea) (newindianexpress.com); 11 deaths reported, focusing on West Asia and Persian Gulf (news18.com)
Timeline
- 2026-02-28 — US and Israel attacked Iran, starting the US‑Iran war
- 2026-10-06 — Drone strikes on commercial vessels off Bulgaria, raising Black Sea security concerns
- 2026-10-07 — Bulgaria’s president warned of deteriorating Black Sea security
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com
- [2] news18.com
