Enrica Lexie case

On 15 February 2012, Italian marines operating as part of an anti-piracy Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) on-board Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MT Enrica Lexie, allegedly opened fire on the St. Antony killing two Indian fisherman on board. Ballistics tests undertaken subsequently linked weapons used by two members of the VPD team aboard the MT Enrica Lexie to fragments of the bullets that killed the two Indian fisherman. The incident has sparked a conflict of opinions over legal jurisdiction and functional immunity between the governments of India and Italy. In addition, it continues to cause diplomatic tension between the two nations.The episode raised questions concerning the use of armed guards by commercial shipping. A senior Indian Government official is reported to have accused the maritime industry of causing the Enrica Lexie incident commenting that it was a ""direct result"" of the High Risk Area for piracy extending to the Indian coastline.