Two Indian nationals are reported dead and 10 more are injured in a drone strike at the Al Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar, Oman, on Friday, the latest reminder of these deaths. This is the first on-land Indian fatalities in a West Asian country since the Iran-US conflict which started on February 28. 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says five of the injured Indians are no longer hospitalized, five others are recovering and said to be out of danger.

Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the MEA, offered condolences to families of the deceased and reiterated that the Indian mission is working closely with the local authorities and the company to facilitate their assistance as far as possible.

Two unmanned aerial vehicles crashed into Sohar, with one hitting the industrial zone and killing two expatriate workers, according to the Oman News Agency.

Since Iran and the US clashed, 3 Indian sailors have been killed in attacks against ships, and one crew is missing. Until now, no fatalities on land had been reported.

 The Indian government continues to prioritize the safety of more than 10 million Indian nationals living in West Asian countries. In the last few months, 150,000 Indians—thousands from Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE—have flown back home from the region on special and non-scheduled flights. 

MEA officials also confirmed that 15 crew members of the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, attacked near Basra, Iraq, had evacuated safely. But one Indian crew member did perish in that attack, and attempts are under way to return his body.

India remains on the watch and is helping its nationals in the regions.