🔸 IRGC Public Relations: American tanker hit in Persian Gulf 🔹Today, the US-owned ship "Safesia" with the Marshall Islands flag, one of the assets of the US terrorist army, was hit in the northern Persian Gulf after failing to comply with and ignoring the warnings and warnings of the IRGC Navy. 🔹Oil tankers and vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz should know that this insecurity is the result of America's cruel aggression in this region, and in order to maintain their safety and security, they must act in accordance with the rules and regulations of passage in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in war conditions declared by the IRGC to remain safe from being hit by stray projectiles. 📌 Follow IRNA on Yes and Rubika @IRNA_1313

🔸روابط عمومی سپاه: نفتکش آمریکایی در خلیج فارس مورد اصابت قرار گرفت🔹سحرگاه امروز کشتی safe sia" با مالکیت امریکا و با پرچم جزایر مارشال به عنوان یکی از دارایی های ارتش تروریست امریکا در شمال خلیج فارس پس از عدم تمکین و بی توجهی به هشدار و اخطار نیروی دریایی سپاه مورد اصابت قرار گرفت. 🔹نفتکش ها و شناورهای متردد در خلیج فارس و تنگه هرمز باید بدانند این ناامنی نتیجه تجاوز ظالمانه امریکا در این منطقه است و به منظور حفظ ایمنی و امنیت خود می بایست طبق قوانین و مقررات عبور و مرور در خلیج فارس و تنگه هرمز در شرایط جنگی که توسط ج.ا.ا اعلام می‌شود عمل نمایند تا از اصابت پرتابه های سرگردان ایمن بمانند.📌 ایرنا را در بله و روبیکا دنبال کنید @IRNA_1313

SummarySafesea Vishnu tanker attacked by two explosive-laden unmanned boats, crew jumped into water to escapeOne crew was killed in attack, remaining 27 crew safeUS Navy has repeatedly declined escort requests through Strait ​of Hormuz due to high attack riskLOS ANGELES, March 13 (Reuters) - Two explosive-laden, unmanned ‌boats rammed the Safesea Vishnu tanker in an Iraqi seaport on Wednesday, sparking a fiery blast that engulfed the vessel's port side in flames and left crew only seconds to react, according to an early assessment conducted by the vessel's ​U.S. owner and operator."After speaking to the surviving crew members, the attack appears to have ​been deliberate and calculated," New Jersey-based Safesea Group said in a statement.The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.Report AdAt least ⁠16 tankers and other vessels have come under attack in the Gulf during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. ​Hundreds more have dropped anchor due to Tehran's threat to attack vessels in or near the Strait ​of Hormuz, which is used to transport roughly one-fifth of the world's oil.The Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu was anchored at the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair and engaged in ship-to-ship loading of 53,000 metric tons of naphtha at ​the time of the attack.The vessel's 28 crew members, without time to deploy lifeboats, jumped into ​the water to escape the burning vessel. One died; the remaining 27 crew are safe and receiving assistance from ‌the Embassy ⁠of India in Iraq, Safesea said. The tanker is reported to be listing in the water, and a salvage team has been sent to stabilize the ship and make sure the surrounding marine environment is safe.The attack must serve as a wake-up call for governments, maritime authorities, and the international community, ​Safesea said."Commercial shipping lanes ​cannot become battle zones," ⁠it said.The Malta-flagged Zefyros was the other ship involved in the transfer. A projectile struck that vessel during the Wednesday night assault, its Greece-based manager ​said on Thursday. All 23 crew on the Zefyros were safely evacuated.Some 20,000 ​seafarers aboard ⁠vessels operating in the region face "a dangerous and highly uncertain security situation," according to the World Shipping Council.U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States is prepared to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz when ⁠necessary, ​but so far the U.S. Navy has refused near-daily requests ​from the shipping industry for military escorts since the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too ​high for now, according to sources familiar with the matter.Reporting by Lisa Baertlein; editing by David GaffenOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tabLisa Baertlein covers the movement of goods around the world, with emphasis on ocean transport and last-mile delivery. In her free time, you'll find her sailing, painting or exploring state and national parks.

Iraqi firefighters and port authorities have managed to control and extinguish the fire onboard two oil tankers targeted earlier tonight off the coast of Basra, identified as the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T SAFESEA VISHNU and Malta-flagged M/T ZEFYROS, who were struck by a possible Iranian uncrewed surface vessel while conducting a ship-to-ship transfer within the territorial waters of Iraq.

12 March 2026André Rhoden-PaulandBarbara Plett Usher,Doha, QatarIran has stepped up attacks on energy targets in the Gulf, as two fuel tankers were hit by explosions and burst into flames. Fires are burning around the region with fuel and oil storage tanks hit in Bahrain and Oman.Tehran said the world should be ready for oil at $200 per barrel and warned that any tanker bound for the US, Israel and its partners was a legitimate target. The regime has also declared it has the right to strike financial institutions in the region, after an attack on an Iranian bank.Meanwhile, the Israeli military has said it has begun a new, "large-scale wave" of attacks on Iran. The two tankers were set ablaze near Iraq's southern port of Basra, forcing a pause of operations at the country's oil terminals. The Iraqi News Agency, citing a military official, reports that 38 crew members were rescued and one person died.Iran's official news agency IRNA said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck one of the two ships – a US-owned vessel, the Safesea Vishnu – because it had ignored warnings and failed to comply with orders.Indian authorities earlier said the Safesea Vishnu, which sails under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked by an unmanned speed boat.A second vessel, Greek-owned and Maltese-flagged Zefyros, was struck while it was in the middle of a ship-to-ship transfer with the Safesea Vishnu, the vessel's manager Benetech Shipping said. Separately, a Chinese-owned container ship of the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was "struck by an unknown projectile causing a small fire onboard", the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre said. The cause of the latter two strikes is still being investigated.About 20% of the world's oil usually passes through the Strait of Hormuz and the war has sent global oil prices soaring – reaching $100 a barrel at one point."Get ready for the oil barrel to be at $200 because the oil price depends on the regional security which you have destabilised," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's military command said. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump insisted fluctuations in prices were a "matter of war" and "prices are coming down very substantially". The Iranian military command has also warned it could target US and Israeli banking interests in the region, following a strike on an Iranian bank. "Our powerful armed forces will exact retribution for this crime," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X, who claimed his country's oldest bank was bombed while employees were inside.International banks have been closing their Gulf offices – HSBC in Qatar, Citi and Standard Chartered in Dubai – telling employees to stay home.On Wednesday night, Bahrain authorities accused Iran of targeting fuel tanks near its international airport. Pictures showed thick plumes of smoke. Authorities urged people to keep their windows closed, before the blaze was contained hours later. On Thursday morning, fire crews in Oman were still working to contain a blaze at fuel storage tanks from Wednesday's strike on the port of Salalah. And in Dubai, a high-rise building was pictured with a large hole, after the local government said a drone "fell on a building". It was not clear where the reported drone came from. Kuwait's state news wire service said drones targeted its international airport causing damage. On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces said it had begun a large-scale wave of attacks against Iranian regime infrastructure. The US Central Command insisted it was eliminating Iran's ability to threaten American forces and partners. "We have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and we're not finished yet," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said up to 3.2 million Iranians have been temporarily displaced in Iran due to the conflict. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the BBC the war was a "reckless military adventure" and he described the plight of civilians. Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "We've got hundreds of kids killed. We've got the warning lights flashing across the dashboard."Addressing the strike on a primary school in Iran, that Iranian officials say killed 168 people including around 110 children, he demanded a full and transparent investigation. Expert video analysis shows a US Tomahawk missile hit a military base near the school in southern Iran. "Every day that goes by is driving many more people from their homes and from their families, many more people are dying."Fletcher said the UN was also trying to keep the Strait of Hormuz open in its bid to get aid convoys to sub-Saharan Africa amid a "looming famine" in the region. The conflict across the Middle East follows the wide-ranging US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, which killed the country's supreme leader.Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, which have extended to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities.More than 1,300 people have died and 17,000 have been injured in Iran since the conflict began, Iran's Ambassador to the UN Amir-Saeid Iravani has said.

AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAn attack off the Iraqi coast engulfed two oil tankers in flames, killing at least one person. Senior Iraqi officials believe the attack was Iranian.March 12, 2026Two oil tankers were attacked and burning off the coast of Iraq early Thursday, prompting the Iraqi authorities to suspend all oil terminal operations, as the Middle East conflict deepened disruptions to the global energy supply.The two vessels were used by Iraq for its own oil transport, Iraq’s oil export authority said. Senior Iraqi officials said that one of the vessels, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was owned by an American company. The officials requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.Iran claimed responsibility for attacking the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker. In a statement cited by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said the ship had “disobeyed and ignored” warnings.The statement did not mention the other ship, but the senior Iraqi officials confirmed that Iraqi officials believe the attack on both tankers was Iranian. The officials said the authorities were still trying to understand from their Iranian counterparts why the vessels were targeted while off the coast.Iraq’s oil export authority identified the ships as the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros. The tankers were attacked while in a ship-to-ship transfer area, according to the authority, the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, or SOMO.“Two oil tankers were subjected to a cowardly act of sabotage,” Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, a government entity, said in a statement published on Iraq’s state news agency.Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.John Yoon is a Times reporter based in Seoul who covers breaking and trending news.Related ContentAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT

021-26 – ATTACK - UPDATE 001 Report Date: Report Time: Issue Date: Source 11 Mar 2026 2230UTC 12 Mar 2026 Company Security Officer, Third Party UKMTO has received a report of an incident 5NM south of Al Basrah, in Iraq TTW. A third party reported that two tankers have been struck by an unknown projectile. The CSO of one affected vessel confirmed the attack had caused a fire onboard. The CSO reported that the crew have been evacuated and safe. Investigations to identify the second vessel affected continue. 120140UTCMAR26: The CSO of the second tanker involved has confirmed the vessel was struck and the attack has caused a fire onboard. All members of the crew have been evacuated. No environmental impact has been reported at this time. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

Iranian attack on tankers during STS operation underlines ‘vulnerability’, says expert Master who witnessed the attack on Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros reportedly thought nobody could survive One senior Indian engineer died, but all other crew from both tankers reported to be safe Tsavliris awarded Lloyd’s salvage contract for Safesea Vishnu, while condition of both vessels is being assessed 16 Mar 2026 News Nigel Lowry Nigel Lowry nigel@lowry.gr Dynamarine CEO says more protection is required but need for further STS operations in Middle East Gulf ‘very limited’ under current conditions FREE TO READIraqi tankers on fire Basrah Source: Iraqi ports authority Tankers Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros were engaged in the transfer of a cargo of 48,000 tonnes of naphtha when the strike occurred. A CATASTROPHIC Iranian strike against two product tankers engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer of cargo in the Middle East Gulf should underline security concerns related to STS operations, a leading international expert has said. A sea drone struck the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Safesea Vishnu (IMO: 9327009) near Basrah late in the night of March 11 as it was alongside the smaller medium range tanker Zefyros (IMO: 9324382). The tankers were engaged in the transfer of a cargo of 48,000 tonnes of naphtha when the strike occurred. The attack instantly engulfed both ships and the surrounding sea in flames. One Indian seafarer, a superintendent chief engineer on board Safesea Vishnu, was later confirmed to have been killed. “More protection is needed,” said Alexander Glykas, chief executive of Dynamarine, an STS assurance specialist that provides data and consultancy on the subject to many shipping companies and industry bodies. “Ships engaged in STS operations are at anchorage, so they are at a standstill and vulnerable,” he said. Up to 140 containerships at risk in Gulf as indiscriminate attacks spread By Rob Willmington 12 Mar 2026 With attacks spreading across vessel types and no safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, carriers face mounting operational, financial and safety challenges Read the full article here Glykas referred to at least one prior occasion in West Africa where terrorists targeted ships during STS operations. Amid current hostilities, further STS operations would need to be attended by additional patrol boats, in his view. Although the attack may ordinarily have chilled STS operations in the Middle East Gulf under present conditions, Glykas said that the need for further STS transfers was likely to be “very limited” until transiting the Strait of Hormuz becomes viable again. “I believe that all the tankers in the gulf now must be laden,” he said. “For an STS you need an empty tanker and at the moment there is no incoming traffic.” Engulfed in flames A widely circulated video that shows the moment Safesea Vishnu was hit and both tankers were engulfed in flames is understood to have been taken from a nearby Greek-owned tanker. The master watching the incident is said to have believed nobody could have survived the explosion and inferno that followed. However, 25 crew members from Safesea Vishnu were rescued from the sea. Benetech, the Greece-based manager of the other vessel involved, the Malta-flagged Zefyros, has now confirmed that all its 23 crew members are safe and accounted for. “The condition of the vessel is currently being assessed”, said Benetech, which thanked local officials and port authorities for “their assistance during the incident”. Salvage contractor Tsavliris has been awarded a Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract to salve Safesea Vishnu, which is said to have been gutted by fire. “We are currently evaluating the condition of the vessel and the various options,” said a spokesman for the salvage group.

A large fire broke out on an oil tanker near the port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Initial reports suggest the fire was caused by a direct attack on the tanker.

حريق كبير في ناقلة نفط قرب ميناء أم قصر جنوبي العراق. ترجيحات بأن النيران ناتجة عن استهداف مباشر للناقلة.

WATCH: The moment the U.S.-linked oil tanker Safesea Vishnu was hit in the northern Persian Gulf after allegedly ignoring warnings from Iran’s IRGC Navy. One Indian crew member was killed.

An Indian man has been killed after two ships were attacked in Iraqi waters near Basra, Indian embassy in Baghdad said. The man was onboard the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu that was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag when it came under attack on Wednesday. Fifteen other Indian crew members have been evacuated to safety. Track updates on Iran US warPhoto for representation (REUTERS)“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,” the embassy said in a post on X.The embassy said that it is in touch with the Iraqi authorities as well as the 15 crew members who have been rescued. “Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member,” it further said. Follow updates on Middle East conflictIt wasn't immeditaley clear if the ships were attacked by drone or explosive-laden boats, AFP reported, citing an employee at the Basra port. Also read: How oil tanker, headed to India, went 'dark' in Strait of Hormuz to evade US-Iran warIraq's General Company for Ports, Farhan Al-Fartousi, reportedly said that one crew member had been killed and 38 rescued while the "search continues for the missing".The Iraqi government's media cell told national news agency INA that “two tankers were subject to sabotage”, while Iraq's oil ministry xpressed "deep concern" over the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf.As the war between US and Iran in the Middle East rages on, ships near the Strait of Hormuz have come under attack with Iran taking control of the key energy passage.Iraq’s State Organisation for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) confirmed the attack on Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros were atatcked in its territorial waters. Following the strikes, Iraq suspended operations at its oil terminals, according to comments from the director of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Bloomberg reported.“This event negatively impacts Iraq’s security and economy, and poses a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and oil activities in Iraqi territorial waters,” SOMO said.

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. Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member. @MEAIndia

3. Confirmed/known Vessel Incidents – Approximately Past 24 Hours Incident Vessel Status Damage Location 021-26 ZEFYROS / Tanker/ Laden Adrift Struck by unknown projectiles during STS transfer. Crew abandoned. 5 nm South of Al Basrah, Iraq 021-26 SAFESEA VISHNU / Tanker / Laden Adrift Struck by unknown projectiles during STS transfer. Crew abandoned and one casualty. 5 nm South of Al Basrah, Iraq 022-26 SOURCE BLESSING/ Container / Laden Anchored Ship struck by an unknown projectile, causing a small fire. Crew safe Approximately 35 nm North of Jebel Ali, UAE On 11–12 March, three commercial vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles in incidents across the Arabian Gulf. Two laden tankers were struck while conducting ship-to-ship (STS) operations approximately 5 nm south of Al Basrah, Iraq, while a laden container vessel was struck while anchored approximately 35 nm north of Jebel Ali, UAE. Initial reporting indicates fires onboard the affected vessels, with tanker crews evacuated

The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu was reportedly attacked during cargo loading operations near Khor Al-Zubair Port, near Basra, Iraq. According to initial reports, a white unmanned speedboat, suspected to be carrying explosives, approached the ship from its starboard side and collided with the tanker. The impact caused a massive explosion and a fire. Following the incident, all crew members on board abandoned ship to save their lives and jumped into the sea. A nearby STS tug rescued them and brought them to safety. The Iraqi Coast Guard also rescued the remaining 27 crew members, including 15 Indians and 12 Filipino nationals. The ship's Additional Chief Engineer (Superintendent), Deonandan Prasad Singh, died in the attack. Singh was originally from Bihar and lived in Raheja Towers, Kandivali, Mumbai. All rescued sailors are safe. They were safely transported to Basra port. Firefighting tugs are deployed at the scene and are working to control the fire. DG-Shipping has confirmed the death of one sailor. Fifteen Indian nationals, including the ship's captain, were among those rescued. All rescued sailors are reported safe and are currently on a small island near Basra. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad is in constant contact with Iraqi authorities to ensure the well-being of the Indian nationals involved and provide necessary assistance.

इराक के बसरा के पास खोर अल-जुबैर पोर्ट के नजदीक कार्गो लोडिंग ऑपरेशन के दौरान मार्शल आइलैंड्स के झंडे वाले तेल टैंकर MT सेफसी विष्णु पर हमला होने की खबर सामने आई है. शुरुआती रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, सफेद रंग की एक मानवरहित स्पीडबोट में विस्फोटक भरे होने की आशंका है. जहाज के स्टारबोर्ड हिस्से से तेजी से आई और टैंकर से टकरा गई. इस टक्कर के बाद जहाज पर बड़ा विस्फोट हुआ और आग भड़क उठी. घटना के बाद जहाज पर मौजूद सभी क्रू मेंबर्स ने अपनी जान बचाने के लिए जहाज छोड़ दिया और समुद्र में कूद गए. आसपास मौजूद एक STS टग ने उन्हें रेस्क्यू कर सुरक्षित बाहर निकाला. इराकी कोस्ट गार्ड ने जहाज पर मौजूद बाकी 27 क्रू मेंबर्स को भी सुरक्षित निकाला, जिनमें 15 भारतीय और 12 फिलीपीनी नागरिक शामिल हैं. इस हमले में जहाज के अतिरिक्त चीफ इंजीनियर (सुपरिंटेंडेंट) देओनंदन प्रसाद सिंह की मौत हो गई. सिंह मूल रूप से बिहार के रहने वाले थे और मुंबई के कांदिवली रहेजा टावर में उनका निवास था. बचाए गए सभी नाविक सुरक्षित हैं इन सभी को सुरक्षित रूप से बसरा बंदरगाह की ओर पहुंचा दिया. आग बुझाने वाले टग जहाज घटनास्थल पर तैनात हैं और आग को काबू करने का काम कर रहे हैं. DG-Shipping ने एक नाविक की मौत की पुष्टि की है.बचाए गए लोगों में 15 भारतीय नागरिक हैं, जिनमें जहाज का कैप्टन भी शामिल है. बचाए गए सभी नाविक सुरक्षित बताए जा रहे हैं और इस समय बसरा के पास एक छोटे से द्वीप पर मौजूद हैं. बगदाद में भारतीय दूतावास, इसमें शामिल भारतीय नागरिकों की भलाई सुनिश्चित करने और जरूरी सहायता उपलब्ध कराने के लिए इराकी अधिकारियों के साथ लगातार संपर्क में हैं.

The Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, is closely monitoring the incident involving oil tanker MT SAFESEA VISHNU near Basra. All crew members were rescued, while one Indian seafarer tragically lost his life. Authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of the crew. @shipmin_india #DGShipping #IndianSeafarers #MaritimeSafety #SeafarerWelfare #ShippingNews #MerchantNavy

Deonandan Prasad Singh was residing in Kandivli, Mumbai and was working as an additional chief engineer aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Safesea VishnuMUMBAI: A 54-year-old Indian seafarer from Mumbai has died after the oil tanker he was serving on came under attack near Iraq’s southern port city of Basra.India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed in a statement on 12 March that one Indian crew member had died in the incident.Who was Deonandan Prasad Singh?Deonandan Prasad Singh was residing in Kandivli, Mumbai and was working as an additional chief engineer aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Safesea Vishnu when it was struck near Khor Al Zubair Port on Wednesday, according to India’s Directorate General of Shipping.PollShould a formal investigation be launched for the attack on the MT Safesea Vishnu?Yes, absolutelyNo, it's unnecessary Officials said Singh suffered severe injuries during the attack and later died.“Singh sustained severe injuries during the incident and later succumbed to them. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandUs Bombs Kharg Island: Trump says raid hit Iran military targets; warns on Strait shipping'Heart of Iran's oil exports': US strikes Kharg Island — why it’s a big blow to TehranAuthorities and relevant maritime agencies have been informed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is underway,” a ministry official said.Following the incident, the tanker’s crew abandoned the vessel and entered the water. They were later rescued by an STS tug.The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members — including 16 Indians and 12 Filipinos — and brought them safely to the port of Basra.25 years of experience in marine engineeringSingh, who had nearly 25 years of experience in marine engineering, had reportedly not been sailing for several years and was working in a shore-based role before he returned to sea.His family said he had moved to a desk job more than seven years ago but was asked to rejoin ship duty shortly before the conflict in the region escalated.“Despite having stopped sailing and having taken a shore desk job, he was sent to join the ship as per a contract clause,” a family member said.“He joined the vessel in Iraq just three days before the war began when the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.”The family said Singh died less than two weeks after boarding the vessel.Relatives also said Singh originally hailed from Rani Bamia village in Sonhaula block of Bihar’s Bhagalpur district."A company official called us around 5 am and informed us about the attack and my brother's death," His brother Krishnanandan Prasad Singh said.'The suicidal ship'Family members told news agency PTI, the vessel carrying Singh was allegedly targeted by an Iranian "suicidal ship" during the hostilities in the region.In an attempt to save his life, Singh jumped into the sea, they said."Rescue teams tried their best to save him, but they could not succeed," Singh said. Singh and other family members left for Delhi after receiving the information.Singh is survived by a son and a daughter. His son, who lives in the United States, has also left for India after learning about the incident, relatives said.The Directorate General of Shipping office in Mumbai did not comment on the matter.The shipping company managing the vessel — Executive Management or Bravo Shipping Management — did not respond to requests for comment. The management of MT Safesea Vishnu and associated stakeholders expressed condolences to Singh’s family.A condolence message was also posted by the alumni association of BIT Sindri, where Singh had studied.

An Indian marine engineer from Mumbai was killed after an attack on an oil tanker near Iraq, leaving his family devastated and demanding answers. The victim, Deo Nandan Prasad Singh (56), was serving as an Additional Chief Engineer (Superintendent) on the oil tanker MT Safecy Vishnu when the vessel came under attack near Iraq's Basra region.According to information available, the tanker was close to Khor Al Zubair Port near Basra when the incident took place on Wednesday amid rising tensions in the region. Singh reportedly sustained severe injuries during the attack and later died.Originally from Bihar, Singh had moved to Mumbai in 2019 and lived with his family at Raheja Eternity Society in Kandivali East. He is survived by his wife Kumkum Singh, daughter Komal Singh, and a son who is currently pursuing a management course in the United States.Speaking to NDTV, Singh's 21-year-old daughter Komal, a third-year student at Nagpur Medical College, recalled the last conversation with her father. She said the family had spoken to him on the evening of March 11, when he assured them that everything was fine."We spoke to dad in the evening and he said everything was alright. At around 2:36 am he called again and told us the ship was on fire. After that we kept calling him but he didn't pick up," she said.Komal added that when the family contacted the shipping company, they were initially told to wait until morning. "They later said everyone had been rescued but that my father had inhaled a lot of seawater and could not be revived. When we reached the company office, they told us he was no more," she said.She also alleged that the family did not receive any official communication regarding his death. "He had even resigned from the company, but he took this voyage to earn extra money because my college fees were pending. We want his remains brought back and we want an international-level investigation into the attack," she said.Singh's wife Kumkum Singh (50) said the family only learned about the situation through media reports. "We spoke on the evening of March 11 and he said, 'Hum yahan theek hain.' That's all he used to say. I sent my husband alive; I want him back the same way. Neither the government nor the company informed us properly," she said, demanding compensation and justice for her children.Their son, 27, who is pursuing a management course in the United States and was recently in Japan for a project, is currently returning to India after learning about the tragedy.Authorities and maritime agencies have been informed about the incident, and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the attack on the tanker. Meanwhile, the family continues to wait for the repatriation of Singh's mortal remains and clarity on what led to the fatal incident.

Mumbai: The mortal remains of additional chief engineer (superintendent) Deonandan Prasad Singh (54) arrived in India after a 22-day wait following his death aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu, which was attacked on March 11 night near Khor AL Zubair Port close to Basra in Iraq. The attack occurred hours after Singh, who lived in Kandivli, last spoke with his daughter and other family members.Singh's family members said he was on a shore job for the last few years, before his company, Bravo Shipping, forced him to join the ship in Feb. They alleged that the shipping company has neither called them nor helped expedite the process of bringing his mortal remains back to India.Singh's mortal remains arrived in Delhi and reached Patna on Wednesday. From Patna, the remains were taken by ambulance to Rani Bamiya village in the Sanhaula block of Bhagalpur district, where his final rites were conducted. "Had authorities been little proactive, we would not have waited 22 days for his mortal remains. I did all the legwork to get the matter expedited after the ministry and authorities took information from us over phone and then emailed us. Bravo Shipping has not spoken with family," Singh's brother-in-law Dr Chandan Kumar told TOI on Thursday. A source from Director General of Shipping, Mumbai, said they have initiated the process of compensation from the company for Singh's family. Singh's friend from Navi Mumbai, Vishal Jaiswal, said in a Facebook post that the conflict in the Middle East brought devastation to their doorstep. His post said: "In the morning, tragedy struck us hard and completely out of the blue. We were shocked to hear that our classmate, #DeoNandanPrasadSingh, a seafarer whose ship was on anchorage in #Basra, was attacked, and we lost him. His daughter, an incredibly brave young medical student, stood like the Rock of Gibraltar for her mother, holding her, comforting her, throughout our journey from Mumbai to Delhi. But in the end, even she broke down. She is still waiting for her brother to arrive from Japan, where he is currently on a study tour. She is asking questions for which none of us have answers: Why was her father the only one who died when everyone else was rescued in the attack? Why will she never see her father again?"

Iranian forces appear to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, which would amount to war crimes. Between March 1 and 17, the UN confirmed 17 incidents of damage to commercial vessels in the region. The attacks, as well as the threat of attacks, also appear to have contributed to significant global cost increases in energy, which may also result in cost increases in food and other critical sectors, to the detriment of people’s rights.Iran, the United States, and Israel should all immediately end unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian objects.(Beirut, March 24, 2026) – Iranian forces appear to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, which would amount to war crimes, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks, and threat of attack, may also contribute to significant global cost increases in energy, food, and other critical sectors, to the detriment of people’s rights.“Deliberately targeting civilian ships and their crew members is a war crime,” said Niku Jafarnia, Middle East and North Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “War crimes do not justify further war crimes, and Iran, the United States, and Israel should all immediately end unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian objects and should stop attempting to frame these objects as legitimate targets.”Starting on March 1, Iranian forces reportedly began attacking commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz in response to US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency. On March 11, Ebrahim Zofaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, said in a speech that if the United States and Israel continued to carry out attacks on Iran, Iranian forces would not allow “one liter of oil” through the strait. Arsenio Dominquez, the IMO secretary-general, stated on March 6: “Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, on board ships under heightened risk and considerable mental strain.” Human Rights Watch documented the apparent deliberate targeting of two commercial ships, the Safesea Vishnu and the Mayuree Naree, on March 11 through statements made by Iranian authorities claiming these attacks; photographs and videos posted online of the direct aftermath of the attacks and, in the case of the Safesea Vishnu, the apparent moment of attack; and data gathered by the IMO.Between March 1 and 17, the IMO confirmed 17 incidents of damage to commercial vessels from 16 apparent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman. It also reported that seven seafarers and one shipyard worker had been killed, four seafarers were missing, and ten people were injured, five severely. An IMO representative told Human Rights Watch that the organization receives data from authorities such as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), and the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO). It said that the organization directly verifies information it receives with the vessels’ flag states to document attacks. It said the organization was unable to confirm who was responsible for the 16 attacks. However, the IMO Council adopted a decision on March 19 in which they “strongly condemned the threats and attacks against vessels and purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Human Rights Watch identified all the vessels included by the IMO in vessel tracking websites and was able to corroborate that they were civilian commercial vessels with civilian crews. In some cases, Human Rights Watch identified their location at the time of the attack. In addition to corroborating attacks on the Safesea Vishnu and Mayuree Naree, researchers corroborated attacks on two other vessels—Skylight and Safeen Prestige—through photographs and videos posted online as well as online statements made by government and military entities, along with a third vessel—the MKD Vyom—by statements alone. In these three cases, Human Rights Watch could not confirm who was responsible for the attacks.One-quarter of the world’s “seaborne oil trade” travels through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the conflict began, the price of crude oil has risen by 40 percent, according to the New York Times. The International Energy Agency has stated: “The war in the Middle East is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.” On March 16, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike on March 20, stated that Iranian forces had targeted all vessels owned by a US or Israeli entity, regardless of their flag country. He did not indicate whether he was referring to military or civilian vessels, or both. The Joint Maritime Information Center stated on March 11 that while some of the vessels that had been struck since March 1 had “potential Western commercial associations…multiple attacks have involved vessels with no confirmed affiliation to US or Israeli ownership.” Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a maritime data and intelligence company, reported that some vessels have continued to pass through the strait between March 1 and 18 and noted: “Shadow fleet vessels [ships engaging in illegal operations for the purposes of circumventing sanctions] carrying Iranian oil and gas account for most transits through the Strait of Hormuz.”Human Rights Watch wrote to Iranian authorities on March 18 seeking clarification about the attacks but did not receive a response.Iranian authorities, in statements they made pertaining to the two ships they claimed to have targeted—the Safesea Vishnu and Mayuree Naree—did not state that the vessels were military objects, nor did they present any evidence to demonstrate that anything on board the ships could have constituted military objects. Under international humanitarian law, it is forbidden in any circumstance to carry out direct attacks against civilians and civilian objects, and warring parties are obligated to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians and civilian objects. Civilian vessels with commercial ties to the United States or Israel remain civilian objects. Warring parties must take all necessary action to verify that targets are military objectives. A person who commits serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intent—that is, intentionally or recklessly—may be prosecuted for war crimes. Individuals may also be held criminally liable for assisting in, facilitating, aiding, or abetting a war crime.The effects of global fossil fuel dependence, and its connections to concentrated corporate power and authoritarian governments, are increasingly evident, Human Rights watch said. A just transition to renewable energy is an environmental and geopolitical urgency now more than ever. This requires concomitant efforts to provide universal access to public services such as social security, education, and health care to guarantee everyone’s rights and accelerate the transition.“Iranian forces’ attacks on civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz will result in harm to some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged people across the globe,” Jafarnia said. “Iranian forces should immediately end these attacks, rescue the remaining three crew members aboard the Mayuree Naree, and release any seafarers they have detained.” For details of the documented attacks on two vessels, further details about the others, and IRGC statements, please see below. March 11 Iranian Attacks on ShipsOn March 11, the Safesea Vishnu, an oil tanker, was “struck by an unknown projectile,” according to the UKMTO. The last signal sent from the ship was received by the vessel-tracking website Marine Traffic at 10:01 p.m. local time. On March 12, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official state news agency, published a statement from the IRGC that confirmed that the Safesea Vishnu “had been hit in the northern Persian Gulf after failing to comply with and ignoring the warnings of the IRGC Navy.”One of the crew members was killed in the attack, the IMO said. It also reported that another oil tanker, the Zefyros, caught fire in the same incident. The two vessels were next to each other within Iraqi territorial waters approximately 50 nautical miles southeast of Basra, according to measurements taken from vessel-tracking websites. Human Rights Watch analyzed three videos posted to X by different accounts on March 12, with the earliest posted at 12:32 a.m. One of the videos, filmed from a nearby vessel, shows two large explosions on the Safesea Vishnu, seconds apart. Those filming from the nearby vessel claim to be the IRGC Navy and say that they have destroyed a US ship in the Persian Gulf. The Safesea Vishnu is engulfed in flames. This video supports accounts by Reuters from the US owner and operator of the vessel that two explosive-laden, unmanned boats rammed the vessel. Another video shows firefighters spraying the Safesea Vishnu with water from a nearby boat. The BBC published a video filmed in daylight that shows the vessel tilting to one side considerably damaged.  The New York Times reported that, according to Iraq’s oil export authority, “[t]he two vessels were used by Iraq for its own oil transport.” The news outlet added that “[s]enior Iraqi officials said that one of the vessels, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was owned by an American company.” On the same day, three other vessels—One Majesty, a Japanese-flagged container vessel, and two bulk carriers, the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth and the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree—were attacked in the strait, the IMO said. The Royal Thai Navy spokesperson said in a statement that the navy had received an initial report that “two projectiles of unknown origin” had struck the Mayuree Naree as it sailed into the Strait of Hormuz after departing from the UAE. The statement said that the Omani navy had rescued 20 of the vessel’s 23 crew members, which the Omani Maritime Security Center confirmed. On March 18, the Royal Thai Navy reported that the ship had moved from Omani to Iranian territorial waters. Three crew members reportedly remain on board the seriously damaged vessel.Photographs taken by rescued crew members circulating online show the superstructure emitting large columns of black smoke. One photograph shows damage to the hull of the boat near the propeller that is consistent with an explosion. The day the three ships were reportedly attacked, Tasnim News, affiliated with the IRGC, posted a statement on its Telegram channel at 3:36 p.m. stating that the Mayuree Naree was “shelled by Iranian fighters hours ago after ignoring the warnings of the IRGC Navy and illegally insisting on passing through the Strait of Hormuz.”Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC naval forces, posted on X the same day at 3:50 p.m. local time that the crew of the Mayuree Naree had “ignored [Iranian authorities’] warnings and intended to pass through the strait but was caught.” He added that “[a]ny vessel intending to pass [the Strait of Hormuz] must obtain permission from #Iran.” Both statements included claims that Iranian forces had also attacked another ship, the Express Rome, a ship not listed by the IMO as having been attacked. On March 19, Human Rights Watch received confirmation from Danaos Shipping, the owners of Express Rome, that the ship had not been hit or compromised in any way and that its crew is safe. According to media reports from March 20, a Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated that Iranian authorities had “taken one Nepali into custody from the Strait of Hormuz.”Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps StatementsHuman Rights Watch was unable to confirm who was responsible for the other 14 attacks the IMO documented. However, Iranian authorities have made several statements in which they have demonstrated a clear intention to attack ships, including civilian ships, that attempt to pass through the strait.On March 4, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, an IRGC navy official, announced that the Strait of Hormuz was “under the complete control of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” On March 16, Naini repeated the statement. “If the US claims that the Iranian Navy has been destroyed, then why is the Strait of Hormuz still closed and not even a tanker is allowed to pass,” Akbarzadeh said. “If the Iranian Aerospace Force [the IRGC’s missile, air, and space force, separate from the Air Force] has been destroyed, why do our missiles and drones hit the intended targets at specific intervals?”On March 12, what appears to be the new X account of the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, posted: “the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used.” Tangsiri reposted the statement, adding: “By maintaining the strategy of keeping the #Strait_of_Hormuz closed, we will deal the most severe blows to the aggressor enemy.”Also on March 12, the IRGC Public Relations office said in the statement posted by IRNA on Telegram that ships “must act in accordance with the laws and regulations of passage in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz…in order to remain safe from being hit by stray projectiles.”The United States has also targeted and destroyed Iranian military vessels. US Central Command reported that they had damaged or destroyed 43 Iranian ships within the first seven days of the war. While military vessels constitute legitimate military targets, the attacks may pose long-term environmental threats to the region. The US navy’s attack on an Iranian military vessel near Sri Lanka on March 4 caused an oil spill stretching 20 kilometers, according to the Conflict and Environment Observatory.Wim Zwijnenberg, an analyst at PAX, a Dutch nongovernmental organization, told Human Rights Watch that, as of March 13, the attacks by all parties to the conflict had caused “a lot of [environmental] impacts on many different locations, [including] oil spills near Basra, Bandar Abbas and Sri Lanka, but often short-term and limited impact” as a result of authorities’ quick cleanups. However, on March 18, Zwijnenberg said that a separate US strike on an Iranian drone carrier near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran had “resulted in a large 25km long oil slick that is posing a threat [to] the coastal and marine environment of the Hara Biosphere and Khuran Strait Wetlands.” The continuation of attacks on vessels carrying large quantities of oil and gas has the potential to cause long-term and significant environmental harm. Despite cleanup efforts, offshore oil spills have long-lasting detrimental impacts on marine life and ecosystems. Customary international humanitarian law provides that warring parties need to respect the protection and preservation of the natural environment. All feasible steps should be taken to minimize environmental harm. Using methods or means of warfare that are intended or can be expected to cause widespread, long-term, and severe damage to the natural environment is prohibited.  The attacks on civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the threat of attack, and the targeting of energy infrastructure within the context of conflicts also appear to be contributing to significant global cost increases in energy, which may lead to increases in the costs of food and other critical sectors, to the detriment of the rights of populations.In the same speech on March 11, Zofaghari said: “Get ready for the oil barrel to be at [US]$200, because the oil price depends on the regional stability which you have destabilized.”Increases in oil and gas prices will have ripple effects on sectors such as food, transportation, and energyprices around the globe, which are critical to the enjoyment of human rights. Moreover, news outlets and think tanks have described the potential impact on the global food supply as a result of the collapse in fertilizer exports through the strait. The Financial Times has reported that, according to several experts, the “Middle East war is close to triggering a global food shock worse than that unleashed by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine” given that significant percentages of the raw materials for widely used fertilizers are transported through the strait. World Food Programme Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau told reporters on March 17 that if the ongoing regional conflict continues, “an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises.”

Highlighted incidents Please find below a list of highlighted incidents that include death/injuries. Full list of highlighted (confirmed) incidents here. MAYUREE NAREE (IMO 9323649) - 11 March - Three seafarer fatalities. SAFESEA VISHNU (IMO 9327009) - 11 March - One seafarer fatality. ARABIA III (IMO 8771332) - 7 March - One seafarer injured. MUSSAFAH 2  (IMO 9522051) - 6 March - Four seafarer fatalities. Three severely injured. STENA IMPERATIVE (IMO 9666077) - 1 March - One shipyard worker fatality. Two shipyard workers seriously injured. MKD VYOM (IMO 9284386) - 1 March - One seafarer fatality. SKYLIGHT (IMO 9330020) - 1 March - Four seafarers injured. One seafarer fatality. One seafarer missing.