Indian crew member dies in attack by Iran against US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu

Mumbai: An Indian crew member died after United States-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, was attacked during ship-to-ship (STS) cargo loading operations off Khor Al Zubair Port near Basra in Iraq, according to the Mumbai-headquartered Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Baghdad-based  Indian Embassy in Iraq. 

The incident took place on Wednesday (March 10), reports reaching Mumbai said pointing out that it appears to be a explosives'-landed unmanned-boat attack originating from Iran. 

“At approximately 2100 hrs UTC on 11 March 2026, the tanker MT Safes Vishnu, flying the flag of Marshall Islands and bearing IMO No. 9327009, which was carrying around 48,000 metric tonnes of naphtha, was struck by an unidentified object. Preliminary reports indicate that a white-coloured unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the vessel from the starboard side and rammed into it, resulting in a major fire onboard,” the DG-Shipping said on Thursday. 

Following the incident, all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water to ensure their safety. They were subsequently rescued by an STS tug operating in the vicinity. 

The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals, and transported them safely towards the Port of Basra. Firefighting tugs remain deployed at the site and are working to contain the blaze.

The DG-Shipping confirmed the death of one seafarer, whose name has been withheld at this stage. 

Among the rescued personnel, 15 are Indian nationals, including the vessel's Master. All rescued seafarers are reported to be safe and are currently located on a small island near Basra. 

The Embassy of India in Baghdad is in close co-ordination with Iraqi authorities to ensure the welfare of the Indian nationals involved and to facilitate necessary assistance.

“On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life.  The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place.  Embassy of India Baghdad is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and rescued Indian sailors and is offering all possible assistance,” the Indian Embassy in Iraq said.