New Delhi: As many as 23 Indian nationals, including 15 seafarers, have been killed in the ongoing West Asia conflict, while five others have died in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

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MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said one more Indian national lost his life after a commercial vessel carrying 14 Indian crew members came under attack off the coast of Oman on Monday. Omani authorities rescued 13 crew members from the vessel.

Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the latest death took the number of Indian nationals killed in the West Asia conflict to 23, including 15 seafarers.

"In so far as the number of people who have died, Indian nationals who have died, last time I told you there were 22 Indian nationals who we have lost in the conflict in West Asia. Out of those 22 Indian nationals, we have 14 Indian seafarers and today we have lost one more, yesterday that is, which means there are 23 Indian nationals which we have lost in the conflict in West Asia. Out of which 15 of them are Indian seafarers."

The government is working to bring the 13 rescued Indians back home and repatriate the mortal remains of the crew member who died in the attack.

"Yesterday we had an attack on an Indian ship. We have issued a statement; you would have seen the details. On that ship we had 14 Indian crew members. Of them, tragically, unfortunately, one of them has died. We are now in the process of ensuring that the 13 Indian nationals who are there, they are repatriated back to India. We also are working to see how best and when we can also have the mortal remains of the Indian national who has died, those remains to be transported back to India," Jaiswal said.

He thanked the Omani authorities for their prompt response in rescuing the 13 crew members and reiterated India's appeal for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the region.

"I must say that we thank the Omani authorities for their swift action in which they were able to rescue 13 Indian nationals when the ship came under attack. We once again call upon parties that dialogue and diplomacy must be taken forward so that there can be an early return of peace to the region, and that freedom of navigation through international waterways must be restored and must be guaranteed," he added.

Jaiswal also said that five Indian nationals had died in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea region, while two others remained missing.

Earlier on Tuesday, India condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MSV AL JUSUFI near Limah, Oman, on Monday evening. The attack killed one Indian crew member and left the remaining 13 to be rescued.

"We condemn the attack on a commercial vessel MSV AL JUSUFI, near Limah, Oman yesterday evening. Of the 14 Indian nationals on board, 13 have been rescued while 1 Indian national tragically lost his life after sustaining injuries. We convey our deepest condolences on the precious life lost. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the rescued Indian nationals and the mortal remains of the deceased," the ministry said in a statement.

The MEA described the continued attacks on commercial vessels in the region as a matter of serious concern and called for an immediate reduction in tensions and a diplomatic resolution.

"The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply concerning. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," the MEA said.