As Iran seals the world’s most critical oil passage, Indian seafarers keep paying the price
Mumbai, April 28, 2026 – Two Indian sailors aboard the Togo-flagged tanker MT Chiron 7 sustained minor injuries after shrapnel struck the vessel’s bridge near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Ankit Kumar and Sagar Chand, along with Egyptian national Zeyad Taha, were treated for non-critical wounds. No fatalities were reported among the 24-member crew, which includes 17 Indians. The ship is currently heading for Sharjah.
The Chiron was not directly targeted. However, the incident is far from isolated. Since the United States and Israel struck Iran in late February, the strait through which one-fifth of global oil once flowed freely has been effectively shut. Iran has sealed the passage; the US has blockaded Iranian ports. In the past fortnight alone, twelve foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian crew have reported attacks, including two Indian-flagged ships fired upon on April 18.
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