An Indian crew member has lost his life after the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked near Basra, Iraq, as it entered the Persian Gulf on Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Iraq confirmed — marking the latest and most direct Indian casualty in the escalating maritime dimension of the West Asia conflict.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and a second vessel, the Maltese-flagged Zefyros, were struck near Basra as they approached the Persian Gulf. Iran claimed responsibility for both attacks, with state broadcaster IRIB reporting that an underwater drone had destroyed the two oil tankers. Vessel tracking data showed the Safesea Vishnu's last recorded position at the Basrah Oil Terminal Anchorage in the Persian Gulf off Iraq at midnight.

A total of 38 crew members were rescued from the stricken vessels. Of the 15 Indian crew members on board the Safesea Vishnu, all have been evacuated to a safe location. The Indian Embassy confirmed one Indian fatality, extended its deepest condolences to the deceased crew member's family, and said it remains in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and the rescued Indian sailors while providing all possible assistance.

The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued a specific statement on the Safesea Vishnu attack. However, on March 11, reacting to the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree — which was heading toward Kandla Port through the Strait of Hormuz — the MEA issued a strongly worded condemnation. "India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seem to be increasing," the ministry said.

The Safesea Vishnu attack is the second confirmed instance of an Indian national dying in a maritime strike since the conflict began, raising urgent questions about the safety of the tens of thousands of Indian seafarers operating across the Persian Gulf region.