Asim Mahajan, Additional Secretary for Gulf Affairs, reported on Saturday that five Indians were killed and another wounded in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He said that the missions remain open around the clock and work continuously in all assistance efforts.
Mahajan said this during the Joint Ministerial Conference on Recent Developments in West Asia here in the national capital. path Live updates of the US-Iran war
“We have five Indians who lost their lives and one person is missing in a previous incident. Our missions in Oman, Iraq and the UAE remain in touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of the remains of the deceased to his home country after completing the required formalities,” he said.
He stressed that all support is being provided to seafarers in the region and that MEA is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
The Additional Secretary (Gulf) said that for places like Bahrain and Kuwait from which direct flights are not operating, Indian citizens are being assisted in visa extensions and transit visas for their journey to India via Saudi Arabia.
He shared an update on the attack that took place in the city of Sohar in Oman that killed two Indians and injured 10 others, and said that there were no reports of any of them being seriously injured.
“Our mission has been on the ground and providing all assistance and is in constant contact with the concerned Omani authorities, local companies, hospitals and families of affected Indians. The embassy is also coordinating to facilitate the early return of the remains of the bodies of the two deceased Indian nationals to India.”
Regarding the Safesea Vishnu incident, he said the team was on the ground for the early return of the 15 Safesea Vishnu crew members who were safely evacuated and are currently staying at a hotel in Basra, Iraq.
“They are also working with the relevant authorities for the early return of the remains of the Indian citizen to India.”
Also at the press conference, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping on Friday informed that two Indian-flagged LPG-carrying ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have transited the Strait of Hormuz and are now on their way to India with about 92,700 metric tons of LPG.
These developments come amid the development of the security situation in West Asia and the Gulf after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 in joint American-Israeli strikes in Iran.
In response, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf states, disrupting major shipping routes and impacting global energy markets.
As the war enters its fourteenth day, the exchange of fire continues with threats that Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting the energy needs of many countries.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed grave concern about the escalating crisis in West Asia, warning that the situation poses a major threat to global peace and security. (that I)
