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A rescuer guides a man out of a lifeboat, after Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze, according to port officials, maritime security and risk firms, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on March 12, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
An Indian national has reportedly been killed in an attack carried out by Iran using a “suicide” boat against a U.S.-owned oil tanker near Iraq.
U.S.-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.
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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.
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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”.
The Indian embassy in Iraq on Thursday (March 12) confirmed the death of the Indian national and said 15 remaining Indian crew were rescued off the Safesea Vishnu oil tanker. The embassy, in a statement on X, said that it is in ‘regular contact’ with Iraqi authorities and the rescued Indian sailors, while providing ‘all possible assistance’.
According to information on the website Vessel Finder, the 228.6 metres long and 32.57 metres 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.
Published – March 12, 2026 11:20 am IST
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Indian national killed in attack by Iran against U.S.-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu in Iraqi waters
