Two Indian nationals were killed in a drone strike in an industrial zone in Oman on Friday, marking the first Indian death on the ground in the West Asian country since the Iran-US conflict began on February 28, officials said.
Ten Indians were also injured in a drone strike on the Al Awahi industrial area in the city of Sohar, located about 200 kilometers from the capital, Muscat, and all of them were reported to be out of danger. More than three dozen Indians have been injured so far in drone and missile attacks in several West Asian countries, including the UAE. Track updates on the conflict in the Middle East
Asim Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during an inter-ministerial press conference on the situation in West Asia, that two Indian citizens were killed in an “attack” in the city of Sohar.
“We express our sincere condolences to their families. Among the 11 wounded [in the attack]10 Indians. “Five of them have been discharged after receiving treatment, while five others are still in local hospitals,” Mahajan said.
“None of them were reported seriously injured. Our mission is in close contact with the company concerned and the local authorities and is providing all assistance.”
The Omani News Agency quoted a security source as saying that two drones crashed in Sohar and one of the two drones hit the Al Awahi industrial area, leading to the death of two expatriate workers.
Since the beginning of the Iran-US conflict, three Indian sailors have been killed in attacks on merchant ships and tankers, and another has been reported missing. There have been no reports of deaths on the ground so far.
The Indian government focused on the safety and security of 10 million Indian citizens living in West Asian countries during its communication with the leadership of these countries in recent days.
Mahajan added that 15 Indian crew members of the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, which was attacked near the Iraqi city of Basra on Wednesday, were safely evacuated to a hotel in the city.
An Indian crew member was killed in the attack on Safesea Vishnu, and Mahajan said efforts were underway to transport his body to the country. Efforts are also being made for the safe return of the 15 rescued sailors. He said: “Our mission team is in Basra and is providing all assistance.”
Mahajan also told the press conference that 150,000 Indian nationals have returned from West Asia since February 28. This included 2,900 Indians who returned from Qatar on Qatar Airways flights over the past few days, and 1,000 Indians who returned from Bahrain. He said regular non-scheduled commercial flights were operating from several airports in the UAE, and Air India Express and IndiGo had started their flights from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
