India, June 14 -- A sinking ship, a sailor's death due to alleged neglect, and three crew members killed aboard a tanker - a string of separate incidents involving Indian citizens and vessel made for a grim week near the Strait of Hormuz.

The three incidents that unfolded within a span of seven days underscored the dangers of operating in the volatile waters of the Middle East, even as the US and Iran move closer to signing a peace deal.

Indian-flagged merchant vessel, Virat 1, suffered an engine failure on Sunday morning, following which the US Navy rescued 14 Indian sailors on board.

The vessel began sinking about 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd off the coast of Oman on Sunday morning. The incident comes amid heightened tension...