West Asia Crisis: At least 16 Indian citizens, including 10 seafarers, have lost their lives in West Asia since regional hostilities escalated earlier this year. In addition, 75 Indians sustained injuries during the conflict.
The figures were submitted to Parliament by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in response to a written query by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.
The MP had sought details regarding the casualties, injuries, evacuations, and financial aid provided to affected Indian nationals.
Casualties Spread Across Five Nations
West Asia Crisis: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that fatalities occurred across five countries in the region:
Oman: 8 Indian nationals
United Arab Emirates (UAE): 4 Indian nationals
Kuwait: 2 Indian nationals
Saudi Arabia: 1 Indian national
Iraq: 1 Indian national
Indian embassies and consulates in these countries coordinated closely with local health and port authorities to facilitate medical care for the injured and ensure the prompt repatriation of mortal remains to family members back home.
In a separate incident unrelated to the direct military conflict, 12 Indian nationals lost their lives following an industrial accident at a gas plant in Ras Laffan, Qatar.
Compensation and Relief Packages
West Asia Crisis: To support the families of deceased seafarers, the government and maritime bodies have structured a financial relief framework:
Ex-Gratia Aid: Relatives of deceased seafarers are eligible for ₹10 lakh under the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) managed by the Directorate General of Shipping, subject to official verification.
Union Benefits: Additional war-zone coverage is available under collective bargaining agreements, offering up to ₹12 lakh for officers represented by the Maritime Union of India and ₹10 lakh for crew members under the National Union of Seafarers of India.
Disbursement Progress: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has already completed compensation payouts in five of the 16 cases.
For the victims of the Qatar gas facility accident, the families received an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The government noted that it does not maintain separate records of independent financial assistance paid directly by Qatari authorities.
Over 2,500 Indians Evacuated from Iran
Following the surge in hostilities, the Indian Embassy in Tehran organized cross-border transit routes via Armenia and Azerbaijan to bring stranded citizens safely back home.
2,557 Indian nationals, including students, migrant workers, and fishermen, have been successfully evacuated through these transit corridors.
7,000 Indians remain in Iran. The MEA has reiterated its advisory asking citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Iran until local security conditions stabilize.
Enhanced Emergency Framework
To protect Indian nationals in volatile zones, the MEA operates a multi-layered crisis management strategy. When airspace closures hit commercial travel, Indian diplomatic missions worked alongside local authorities and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to arrange non-scheduled charter flights and transit visas through neighboring nations.
The ministry continues to monitor the safety of the diaspora via 24/7 control rooms, dedicated emergency helplines, and its Rapid Response Cell.
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