An Indian seafarer was killed and 19 others were rescued after an attack struck the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier M.V.
The merchant vessel was transiting toward India when it came under attack off the Governorate of Musandam, according to Oman’s Maritime Security Centre. The incident resulted in a fire breaking out in the engine room and caused fatal head injuries to a crew member on board. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India reported that two torpedoes hit the vessel, striking the port side C-deck accommodation and the port side hull in the engine room.
Casualty Confirmed as Suraj Yadav Identified by Maritime Union
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal identified the deceased crew member as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh who served on the commercial carrier. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India confirmed the identity in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing out that civilian mariners are facing severe threats in regional waterways. The union noted that the victim was a civilian seafarer rather than a combatant, emphasizing that Indian seafarers continue to be killed and reported missing in Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of young Indian seafarer, Wiper Suraj Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, who tragically succumbed to head injuries following a missile attack on M.V. CAPE DAO (Antigua & Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier) off the coast of Oman. The entire nation stands with his family in this hour of grief,
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Minister Sonowal stated that the government will ensure the mortal remains of Yadav are brought home with full dignity while extending every possible support to his next of kin. The vessel carried a total of 28 crew members on board, with 20 of them being Indian nationals.
Royal Navy of Oman Evacuates Surviving Crew Members Ashore
A Royal Navy of Oman vessel, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities, carried out an evacuation operation for the crew of the merchant vessel approximately 2.5 nautical miles off the Governorate of Musandam. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre reported that a total of 27 crew members were evacuated and provided with the necessary medical care after flames broke out in the engine room.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat reported that it was closely monitoring the attack and coordinating with the RPSL, while remaining in contact with the family of the deceased. Officials confirmed that the embassy is proactively coordinating with Omani authorities and the ship management company to ensure the immediate and safe repatriation of the surviving Indian seafarers.
External Affairs Ministry Condemns Attacks on Commercial Shipping
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a formal condemnation of the strike in a statement posted on social media, calling for an immediate halt to violence against civilian infrastructure and commercial waterways. The ministry thanked the Omani authorities for their support during the rescue and evacuation operations.
The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable early return of peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region must be restored at the earliest,
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