Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India Reports Seafarer Deaths Amid Gulf and Black Sea Conflicts
Indian officials say conflicts have killed Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region and the Black Sea.
The articles give different figures for deaths in West Asia and the Persian Gulf: one says 11, while the other says 16.
A shipping ministry official separately reported five Indian seafarer deaths in the Black Sea since February 28.
India says it has safely brought 4,232 seafarers home from the Strait of Hormuz area.
Since February 28, 74 ships connected to Indian interests have passed through the strait.
Twenty-five of those ships were flying India’s flag.
Eight Indian-flagged ships are currently in the area, and six are trading there safely.
India is calling for talks and says attacks on ships and seafarers should stop.
It also wants safe and open passage through international waterways.
Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar said conflicts in West Asia and the Persian Gulf had killed Indian seafarers, but the articles differ on the toll: one reports 11 and the other 16.
A senior shipping ministry official said five Indian seafarers had died in Black Sea conflicts since February 28.
India has safely repatriated 4,232 seafarers from the Strait of Hormuz area.
Since February 28, 74 vessels of Indian interest have transited the Strait of Hormuz; 25 were Indian-flagged.
India called for dialogue, an end to attacks on commercial shipping, and free navigation through international waterways.
- Who
- Indian seafarers; Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar and a senior shipping ministry official provided figures.
- What
- Officials reported seafarer deaths in the Persian Gulf region and Black Sea, as well as repatriation and vessel-transit figures.
- When
- The reported vessel transits and Black Sea deaths date from February 28; Kumar spoke on Thursday, and India made its call for dialogue on Wednesday.
- Where
- The Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz area, and the Black Sea.
- Why
- Officials attributed the deaths to conflicts; the articles also describe attacks on commercial vessels.
- Persian Gulf and West Asia deaths
- One article reports 11 Indian seafarers; another reports 16, both attributing the figures to Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar.
- Black Sea deaths
- Five Indian seafarers since February 28, according to a senior shipping ministry official.
- Seafarers repatriated
- 4,232 Indian seafarers were safely repatriated from the Strait of Hormuz area.
- Vessels transiting
- 74 vessels of Indian interest transited the Strait of Hormuz since February 28.
- Indian-flagged transits
- 25 of the 74 vessels were Indian-flagged.
- Indian-flagged ships in the area
- Eight; six were safely trading there, and two were container vessels.
- India's stated position
- India called for dialogue and diplomacy, an end to attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers, and free and unimpeded navigation.
