Majority Of Sailors Killed In Strait Of Hormuz Attacks Were Indians

Indian seafarers accounted for the largest share of fatalities during attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz between March 1 and July 14, 2026, according to an analysis by NDTV Datafy based on information from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and media reports. Of the 16 reported deaths during the period, seven were Indian nationals, representing nearly 44 per cent of the total despite Indians making up about 12 per cent of the global seafaring workforce.

The analysis found that three Indian sailors were killed in attacks attributed to US forces on the oil tankers MT Marivex, MT Settebello, and MT Jalveer between June 8 and June 11, while four others died in attacks reportedly linked to Iran. The first Indian fatality was recorded on March 1 after the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MKD Vyom was struck off the coast of Oman. In addition to the fatalities, more than 180 Indian crew members were rescued after their vessels came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman. Among the affected ships was the Indian cargo vessel Haji Ali, which caught fire after an attack on May 13 and later sank off the coast of Oman.

Beyond conflict zones, Indian seafarers continue to face significant challenges from shipowner abandonment. Under the Maritime Labour Convention, a seafarer is considered abandoned if a shipowner fails to arrange repatriation, provide essential support, or pay wages for at least two months. According to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Indian sailors were the worst-affected nationality for abandonment in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025 alone, 1,125 Indian seafarers were abandoned, accounting for about 18 per cent of the 6,223 cases reported worldwide, ahead of Filipino and Syrian nationals.

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) continue to monitor unresolved abandonment cases involving Indian sailors. As of mid-July 2026, the ITF database listed 121 unresolved cases affecting Indian seafarers. Such incidents often leave crew members stranded at foreign ports without wages, adequate supplies, or the means to return home, highlighting persistent concerns over labour protection and enforcement of international maritime regulations.

India has set ambitious goals to strengthen its position in the global maritime sector through the India Maritime Vision, which aims to increase the country's share of the global seafaring workforce from around 12 per cent to 20 per cent over the next four years. However, the disproportionate number of Indian casualties during maritime conflicts and the continued prevalence of abandonment cases underscore the need for stronger safety measures, enhanced diplomatic engagement, and improved welfare mechanisms to protect Indian seafarers working in increasingly volatile international waters.

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