An Indian national serving as the captain of an oil tanker has died near the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns amid ongoing regional tensions affecting maritime operations.

The deceased has been identified as Rakesh Ranjan (43), a resident of Ranchi in Jharkhand. He was commanding a merchant vessel transporting oil to India when the incident occurred.

According to family members, the vessel had been stranded approximately 14 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz due to the prevailing geopolitical situation in the region. On the 18th of this month, Ranjan reportedly collapsed suddenly while on duty. Despite immediate medical assistance being provided onboard, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Due to restrictions and heightened tensions in the area, arrangements for immediate air evacuation could not be made. The vessel was subsequently directed to Port Rashid in Dubai, where Ranjan was declared dead.

Preliminary reports suggest that he may have suffered a heart attack; however, the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after a post-mortem examination.

Ranjan is survived by his wife and two children. His family has appealed to both the central and Jharkhand state governments for assistance in repatriating his body to India. His brother stated that letters have been sent to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Ranchi Member of Parliament Sanjay Seth requesting urgent intervention.