Indian national killed as Iran ‘suicide’ boat hits US-linked tanker near Iraq
With Indians accounting for over 15% of global seafarers, maritime attacks threaten rising collateral casualties, sources said
A screengrab from a video of the reported attack on oil tanker Safesea Vishnu. (Photo:X)
New York, Mar 12: An Indian national has reportedly been killed in an attack carried out by Iran using a "suicide" boat against a US-owned oil tanker near Iraq.
US-owned and Marshal Island-flagged oil tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked off Khor Al Zubair port on Wednesday inside Iraq's territorial waters by an Iranian "suicide" boat, sources told PTI.
An Indian national, whose name is being withheld at the moment, has reportedly been killed in the attack, while the remaining 27 crew and personnel on the oil tanker have been rescued and taken to Basra, the sources said.
Sources close to Safesea, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company is devastated to learn of the loss of the Indian national in the attack.
They have called for the Indian government to strongly condemn the attack and take urgent action to ensure the safety of crew onboard ships in the region amid the escalating West Asia conflict.
The sources voiced concern that, as Indians constitute over 15% of the seafarers globally, irrespective of whichever ship Iran targets, Indian nationals will be "collateral damage".
According to information on the website Vessel Finder, the 228.6 meters long and 32.57 meters wide Safesea Vishnu is a crude oil tanker built in 2007, currently sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
It has a gross tonnage of 42010 and deadweight tonnage of 73976.
Meanwhile, India co-sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council that condemned the "egregious" attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, demanding immediate cessation of all attacks by Tehran while denouncing its threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The 15-nation Security Council, currently under the presidency of the United States, adopted the resolution on Wednesday with 13 votes in favour, none against and abstentions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.
The resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
PTI