16 Indians, Including 10 Seafarers, Die Amid US-Iran Conflict: Government Reports

In a recent statement to Parliament, Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, revealed that the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly between the United States and Iran, has resulted in the tragic deaths of 16 Indian nationals. Among these fatalities are ten seafarers, a fact that was disclosed in response to a question posed by CPI(M) MP John Brittas. The Minister provided a detailed account of the casualties during a session in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the situation affecting Indian citizens abroad.

Singh's report specified the locations of the fatalities, indicating that one Indian national lost their life in Saudi Arabia, two in Kuwait, eight in Oman, one in Iraq, and four in the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the Minister noted that 75 Indians have sustained injuries due to the conflict, with the breakdown of injuries occurring as follows: 32 in the UAE, 24 in Oman, four in Qatar, 13 in Kuwait, one in Saudi Arabia, and one in Israel. Furthermore, Singh mentioned a separate incident involving the death of 12 Indian nationals in an accident at the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar, which is unrelated to the ongoing hostilities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been actively collaborating with the governments of the host countries to ensure that the families of the deceased receive the necessary support and assistance during this difficult time.