Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf region earlier this year, at least 25 sailors have died and four remain missing after attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The majority of these fatalities have involved Iranian forces, according to maritime analysts and incident reports, though the Iranian government denies responsibility for the assaults. Meanwhile, some sailors were killed in U.S. military strikes against ships accused of violating sanctions or blockades.
The attacks have significantly increased in frequency, with more than 100 incidents reported since the war began and over 26 vessels struck in the past month alone. Despite the dangers, thousands of sailors—many from South and Southeast Asia as well as Eastern Europe—continue to work in the area, drawn by wages that are often higher than those available in their home countries.
Families of deceased sailors, many of whom relied on their relative’s income as the main source of support, face challenges obtaining compensation for their loss. Several relatives interviewed described ongoing struggles navigating bureaucratic hurdles, incomplete investigations, and ambiguous liability that have delayed or prevented payouts. While maritime law generally requires shipowners to compensate survivors or next of kin, complexities arise when vessels operate under unclear or fraudulent insurance arrangements, such as those linked to so-called "shadow fleets."
A number of families reported that life insurance claims were denied due to deaths occurring in war zones, further complicating their financial and emotional recovery. For example, the widow of Suresh Patnala, a chief engineer killed aboard the tanker Settebello during a U.S. strike, received only her late husband’s final salary and has been unable to secure additional compensation. The Settebello was targeted after allegedly violating a U.S. blockade; its operator has ceased responding to families’ inquiries.
In another case, the family of Sumit Kumar Singh, an Indian sailor who died on the El Gaia after the ship was struck by an Iranian missile and drone attack, awaits the return of his remains along with compensation. Singh’s family said the shipowner has not publicly responded to their requests. Singh’s wife is left caring for their young children with limited financial resources, while relatives express frustration over the lack of official acknowledgment of the losses incurred by innocent seafarers.
Relatives of sailors lost on vessels under U.S. sanctions also report difficulties receiving aid, as some require documentation that local authorities have been unable or unwilling to provide, such as death certificates required to process claims. Appeals to national governments for intervention and assistance have often gone unanswered, leaving families in limbo.
The situation underscores the human toll of the conflict that extends beyond battlefield combatants, with civilians who work at sea caught in the crossfire and struggling to obtain recognition and compensation for their losses. As the conflict continues, the perilous conditions in the Strait of Hormuz remain a contentious and tragic aspect of the regional instability affecting maritime trade and the lives of those who sustain it.