conflict in West Asia claims two Indian lives

Two Indians were killed and ten injured on Friday in a drone attack on an industrial area in Oman amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said. Five of the injured have been discharged from hospital. The strike marks the first Indian casualties on land in a West Asian country since the Iran-US conflict began on February 28.

The drone hit the Al Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar city, about 200 km from the capital Muscat. More than three dozen Indians have been injured in drone and missile strikes across several West Asian countries, including the United Arab Emirates, since the conflict began.

Aseem Mahajan, joint secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, said two Indian nationals died in the attack. Of the 11 people injured, ten were Indians. Adding that the Indian mission is in touch with the company and local authorities. Earlier, three Indian sailors were killed in attacks on merchant vessels and tankers and one remains missing.

Mahajan also said 15 Indian crew members of the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, attacked near Basra on Wednesday, were evacuated to a hotel. One Indian crew member was killed in the attack.About 150,000 Indians have returned from West Asia since February 28.