Strait of Hormuz: 3 Indian sailors killed, one Indian-flagged oil tanker clears conflict zone

Officials also reported casualties among Indian citizens working at sea.

Three Indian sailors have lost their lives during the crisis, while one more remains missing.

More than 700 Indian seafarers continue to serve aboard ships operating around the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf with global shipping routes, has become one of the world’s most closely monitored maritime corridors as regional tensions intensify.

Govt closely monitoring Indian vessels

Rajesh K Sinha, Special Secretary in India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said authorities are maintaining constant oversight of Indian ships operating in and around the strait.

According to Sinha, one Indian-flagged vessel moved from the Strait of Hormuz area on Friday.

He clarified that the tanker was located east of the strait and therefore did not need to cross the narrow waterway itself.

The ship is not bound for India and is instead sailing toward destinations in Africa.

Officials emphasised that the government is closely coordinating with shipping companies and continuously monitoring vessel movements.

Dozens of Indian ships remain in Gulf waters

Authorities provided a broader snapshot of maritime activity in the region.

A total of 27 Indian-flagged ships are currently operating in waters around the Strait of Hormuz, carrying more than 700 Indian seafarers.

Twenty-four vessels remain west of the Strait inside the Persian Gulf with 677 Indian crew members onboard.

On the eastern side, in the Gulf of Oman, three Indian-flagged ships are operating with 76 Indian sailors.

An oil tanker named Jag Prakash had previously been present in the eastern zone but departed the area recently, reducing the number of vessels there.

Sinha also noted that the wider Gulf region hosts a large Indian maritime workforce.

Approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers are currently employed on merchant ships and offshore vessels operating across these waters.

The Directorate General of Shipping is maintaining regular communication with them through recruitment and engagement agencies.

India issues operational measures at ports

To manage potential disruptions, the government has introduced standard operating procedures for ports across India.

These guidelines aim to ensure coordination between port authorities and shipping companies during the ongoing crisis.

Officials said vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas are being prioritised at Indian ports to maintain a steady domestic supply.

Authorities are also closely tracking fuel logistics as maritime routes remain vulnerable to disruptions.

Casualties among Indian citizens

The conflict has also affected Indian citizens working in the region.

Officials confirmed that three Indian nationals have died during the escalation, while one individual remains unaccounted for.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the deaths of two Indian nationals in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed condolences to the families of the victims, identified as Aseem R Mahajan and Suhas.

Control room assisting Indians in West Asia

To support Indian citizens in the region, the government established a dedicated control room on March 4.

According to the MEA, the facility has already received around 900 phone calls and 200 emails from people seeking assistance or information.

Officials said the number of requests has gradually declined in recent days.

India is also continuing diplomatic engagement with countries in West Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with the Iranian leadership to express concern about the safety of Indian nationals.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also held discussions with Iran’s foreign minister to address the situation.

Indian officials reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the preferred path for resolving the crisis.

Airspace closures affect travel

The conflict has also disrupted aviation routes across the region. Kuwait has closed its airspace, while flights through Iraq have also been suspended.

Officials said India is facilitating the return of citizens stranded in the region by arranging alternate travel routes through Saudi Arabia.

Govt says fuel supply 'stable'

Despite the uncertainty surrounding shipping routes, the government said India’s fuel supply remains stable.

Sujatha Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said refineries hold adequate crude oil stocks and fuel distribution across the country continues normally.

She stated that India currently has sufficient petrol and diesel supplies and urged citizens not to store fuel unnecessarily.

More than 101,000 petrol pumps are operating nationwide, and stock levels remain comfortable.

Panic LPG bookings push demand higher

However, officials acknowledged that public anxiety about the Strait of Hormuz situation has pushed up demand for LPG cylinders.

Recent data shows that LPG refill bookings have surged to 7.57 million in just a few days.

Authorities attributed the increase to panic bookings rather than supply shortages.

The government has urged households to place orders only when necessary to avoid unnecessary pressure on the supply system.

Crackdown on hoarding and black marketing

State governments have been asked to monitor LPG distribution closely and take strict action against hoarding or black marketing.

District magistrates and police authorities have been tasked with enforcing these measures, while some states have already issued directives to curb illegal sales.

Officials confirmed that LPG deliveries to homes and hospitals are continuing normally.

To reduce demand pressure, households with piped natural gas connections are being encouraged to use PNG where available.

The government also reported that domestic LPG production has increased by about 30 percent since early March as authorities seek to stabilise supplies during the ongoing crisis.