India Protests Death of Indian Seafarer in Strait of Hormuz Attacks

The attacks targeted the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which had a combined crew of 46 personnel, including 30 Indian nationals. On the MT Al Bahiyah, one Indian seafarer was killed instantly and another sustained moderate injuries. Aboard the MT Mombasa, nine Indian sailors suffered blast-related and shrapnel injuries, with two classified as severely wounded. The MEA described the operations as unprovoked acts of violence and stated that civilian crew members must not be tactical targets in geopolitical warfare.

Caught in the crossfire

In response, the Indian government summoned the Iranian Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission to the MEA headquarters to lodge a formal protest and demand accountability. New Delhi called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Washington and Tehran to pursue diplomatic stabilization, warning that using maritime chokepoints as combat theaters threatens global energy infrastructure and international commerce.

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Rising Casualties in Conflict Zones

The deaths in the Strait of Hormuz are part of a broader trend of maritime casualties in 2026. Reports indicate that between 18 and 20 Indian seafarers have died in war zones this year. Beyond the Persian Gulf, Indian maritime workers have faced fatal strikes in the Black Sea during Russia-Ukraine grain transits.

India lodges strong protest with Iran, condemns killing of

Recent incidents in the Black Sea include the MV Golden Leo, where four Indians were killed, and the MV Omorfi, where Chief Officer Sagar Gupta was killed during transit off the Ukrainian coast. Other 2026 fatalities in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf include crew members aboard the MKD Vyom, MT Settebello, and the Skylight tanker.

India is the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers, providing approximately 308,000 active workers—about 12 per cent of the global commercial crew workforce—according to data from the Directorate General of Shipping.