On Thursday, India reported that an Indian-flagged wooden cargo vessel sank in Omani waters following a fire believed to be caused by a drone or missile strike. This incident marks the second vessel lost in the region since the onset of the Iran conflict on February 28, which has left hundreds of ships stranded and 20,000 seafarers trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack occurred while the vessel, identified as the Haji Ali, was en route from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates. The Indian shipping ministry confirmed that all 14 crew members were rescued by the Omani coast guard and taken to Diba port. While the specifics of the attack remain unclear, British maritime risk management group Vanguard suggested it was likely an explosion from a drone or missile.
India condemned the targeting of commercial shipping, asserting that such actions jeopardize innocent civilian lives and disrupt freedom of navigation. The ongoing conflict has heightened risks for vessels in the Gulf, particularly around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, with multiple attacks reported since the war began.
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