16 Indians, including 10 seafarers, killed since outbreak of conflict in West Asia: Govt tells Parliament
New Delhi, July 31
Sixteen Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have lost their lives in the ongoing crisis in West Asia, since the outbreak of the conflict in West Asia, the Government has informed Parliament.
Responding to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, on the safety and status of citizens amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, regarding casualties, compensation, and diplomatic actions, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has detailed that the fatalities include 8 in Oman, 4 in the UAE, 2 in Kuwait, 1 in Saudi Arabia, and 1 in Iraq, alongside 75 injured Indians across the region comprising 32 in the UAE, 24 in Oman, 13 in Kuwait, 4 in Qatar, 1 in Saudi Arabia, and 1 in Israel.
The MoS also clarified that in an unrelated accident, 12 Indian nationals lost their lives at the Ras Laffan Gas Facility in Qatar, and added that the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated the cross-border movement of 2,557 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel.
Addressing rescue operations and consular assistance, the Government stated that continuous support has been extended to affected families.
"The injured Indian nationals received medical treatment in local hospitals. Indian Embassies and Consulates coordinated with the local authorities and the hospitals for regular updates on the health condition and extended all required assistance, viz., establishing contact with the family members, guidance on available travel options and their safe return to India, etc," MoS Singh said.
Responding to the breakdown of financial compensation, the Minister stated that for war-zone incidents involving seafarers, an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh is provisioned under the DGMA Welfare Scheme (Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society - SWFS). The government stated that following due diligence and verification, the amount is disbursed expeditiously to the next of kin.
Additional compensation provisions apply under Collective Bargaining Agreements, including Rs 12 lakh for officers through the Maritime Union of India and Rs 10 lakh for crew through the National Union of Seafarers of India.
"With regard to compensation payable under the vessel's Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Insurance Cover, the 2 concerned Recruitment and Placement Service License is primarily responsible for pursuing the claim (if applied) with the P&I Club/Insurer. The compensation related to the death of seafarers is being coordinated by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways," Singh said, adding that payouts have already been disbursed in 5 out of the 16 cases.
Meanwhile, families affected by the Qatar gas facility incident received an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each under the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, though the government noted it does not track direct compensation paid independently by Qatari authorities.
Outlining diplomatic actions and crisis management mechanisms, the Ministry highlighted that through close coordination with local authorities and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, diplomatic missions facilitated travel via commercial flights, non-scheduled operations, and transit visas through adjacent nations where airspaces were restricted.
To manage regional security crises, the government deploys a structured, multi-layered mechanism consisting of regular advisories, round-the-clock control rooms, and emergency helplines.
The Rapid Response Cell of the MEA coordinates execution alongside armed forces and ministries, with the ministry also finalising trials for a new digital emergency response solution tailored for future evacuation operations, he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The government should have done more to evacuate our citizens earlier. 16 deaths is not a small number. Also, the compensation varies - Rs 10 lakh for some, Rs 2 lakh for others. It feels inconsistent and unfair to the families.
The embassy in Tehran did a commendable job helping 2,557 Indians cross into Armenia and Azerbaijan. These are the real heroes working behind the scenes. But we need better safety protocols for our seafarers in conflict zones. Their employers must also step up their responsibility.
Respect for the families who lost their loved ones. But the government's track record of tracking such incidents is questionable. They say they have disbursed compensation in 5 out of 16 cases only. That means 11 families are still waiting. Process needs to be faster.
As someone with relatives working in the Gulf region, this hits close to home. The Indian diaspora is the backbone of West Asian economies, and their safety should be the top priority. I appreciate the government's efforts but more needs to be done for preventive measures.
The digital emergency response solution sounds promising. We need modernized systems for crisis management. But I'm more concerned about how many Indians are still stuck in conflict zones without proper assistance. The government should provide a real-time helpline for those affected.
M We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.