Mumbai: The war between Iran, Israel, and the US began on February 28, 2026, leaving many seafarers in a state of fear and uncertainty. Two Indian sailors, Abdul Rehman Mandal and Vikram Ghosh, experienced a terrifying ordeal aboard the ‘Sky Light’ ship, which was attacked while they were near Khasab port in Oman.
Abdul recounted the morning of March 1. “There was a loud explosion around 6:45 AM,” he shared. He was jolted from his sleep by the blast and found chaos on the ship. Smoke filled the air, and crew members were scrambling to escape. Sadly, the ship’s captain, Ashish Kumar, and oiler, Dalip Singh, were missing. “We shouted for them, but there was no answer,” Abdul recalled, highlighting the weight of uncertainty that hung over them.
At the time, 10 Indian and 12 Iranian crew members, including those aboard to clean oil tanks, were on the ship. Despite seeing a nearby vessel, the distress call took time to reach them. “After about an hour, they came when we told them our tanks were empty,” Abdul said. The crew managed to escape with the help of life jackets and ropes.
Though they found safety, the crew remained in shock. Abdul later learned that both Kumar and Singh did not survive the incident. Once rescued, they were transported to Khasab Port for immediate care and returned to India by March 18.
Ghosh echoed Abdul’s sentiments, recalling the fear they faced in Oman. “We worried that another attack could happen any moment,” he said, noting that explosions were still occurring nearby. Stranded without documents, they were grateful for the assistance from the Indian government, which issued ‘White Cards’ to facilitate their return.
The emotional toll was profound. “Even the slightest noise at night would trouble us,” Ghosh admitted. Now back in India, he and Abdul expressed relief. “We can finally sleep peacefully. It was a horrendous experience,” Abdul said.
Current statistics reveal that around 650 Indian crew members are on 22 vessels in Iran and neighboring areas, with about 23,000 employed on foreign-flagged ships worldwide. Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India, has urged the government to prioritize the safe return of these sailors amid ongoing tensions. His organization remains in constant communication with authorities on the matter.
The challenges faced by seafarers during global conflicts are alarming. As the situation remains volatile, the safety of those at sea continues to be a pressing concern.
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WEST ASIA CRISIS, IRAN ISRAEL USA WAR, INDIAN SAILORS, GULF, INDIAN SEAFARERS, GULF HORROR | 2 INDIAN SEAFARERS RESCUED FROM SKY LIGHT SHIP ATTACK RECOUNT ORDEAL
