Indian Seafarer Killed in Aerial Strike on Cargo Ship Off Oman; MEA Responds

MSV Al Jusufi was sailing near Omani waters. The vessel was carrying 14 Indian crew members at the time of the attack. Omani Coast Guard personnel rescued 13 crew members safely. However, one seafarer died from his injuries.

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MEA Condemns Attack on Indian Vessel

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident on Tuesday. He identified the deceased seafarer as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a resident of Gujarat. The minister expressed deep sorrow over his death and offered condolences to his family. He also said that the Indian government is coordinating with Omani authorities. The authorities are providing assistance to the rescued crew members and arranging their return to India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MSV Al Jusufi. The ministry confirmed that 13 Indian nationals had been rescued, while one lost his life. The Indian Embassy in Oman is working closely with local authorities. Officials are arranging the early repatriation of the surviving crew members and the deceased seafarer’s mortal remains. The ministry also expressed concern over repeated attacks on commercial ships in the region.

The MEA called for an immediate reduction in regional tensions and urged all parties to pursue a diplomatic solution. It said that attacks on commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure must stop. The ministry also stressed the importance of maintaining safe and uninterrupted movement through international waterways. These routes play an important role in global trade and shipping. India urged all concerned parties to restore peace and stability in the region.

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Recent Attacks on Vessels Carrying Indian Crew

The latest incident follows several attacks on vessels carrying Indian seafarers amid rising tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict. On October 30, attackers targeted a Panama-flagged oil tanker carrying 27 Indian crew members in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack involved limpet mines that caused a fire in the engine room. The crew managed to control the fire later. Earlier, on October 11, two other vessels carrying Indian sailors also faced attacks near the region.

In another incident, a drone strike hit the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin near Sohar, Oman. Two Indian seafarers went missing after the attack. Meanwhile, an unknown projectile struck the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Valthera in the Strait of Hormuz, which had 11 Indian crew members onboard. Earlier in May, an Indian-owned vessel also sank in Omani waters following an unidentified attack. These incidents have increased concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers and international shipping routes.

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