2 Indian Crew Members Killed In Attack On Oil Tanker ‘Skylight’ Amid US-Iran Tensions

skylight tanker — Screengrab from Fb video posted by GMA News

Two Indian seafarers were killed and another is missing after the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was attacked near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula amid rising tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The tanker was hit about 5 nautical miles north of Khasab Port in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Nearly 20% of global oil trade passes through this narrow waterway.

Authorities said the vessel had 20 crew members, including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians, and the surviving crew were evacuated after the attack.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre (MSC) confirmed that the tanker was targeted in waters north of Khasab in the Musandam Governorate.

The MSC did not specify what weapon struck the ship. However, reports said a powerful explosion caused severe damage to the tanker.

The attack occurred shortly after drone strikes reportedly targeted Oman’s Duqm port.

Authorities confirmed that Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and Dixit Solanki from Mumbai were killed in the incident.

Video Credits: GMA News

Per reports, the burnt bodies of two victims were recovered from the tanker. Captain Ashish Kumar’s body was found in the captain’s cabin.

Another crew member, Dalip Singh from Rajasthan, has been reported missing since the attack.

Captain Ashish Kumar had joined the Merchant Navy on January 20, according to his family. His first assignment was in Dubai, and he later boarded the tanker Skylight (IMO 9330020) on February 22 as its captain.

Dalip Singh, a resident of Khinwatana village in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district, had also joined the tanker earlier this year. As per reports, he was working in the forward section of the ship along with the captain when the explosion occurred.

Dixit Solanki, who lived in Kandivali in Mumbai, had recently returned to duty after spending several months with his family.

Captain Ashish Kumar’s family first learned about the incident through news reports and social media. Later, the shipping company confirmed his death.

His brother Shubham told NDTV that the family initially believed he was missing.

Ashish Kumar is survived by his wife Anshu Kumari and their five-year-old son, Daksh.

Meanwhile, Dalip Singh’s family in Rajasthan is still waiting for confirmation about his fate after the company reported him missing.

References: News18, NDTV

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