Limpet Mines Hit Tanker in Hormuz, 27 Indian Crew Safe
The Panama-flagged oil tanker MT Louise 1, crewed by 27 Indian seafarers, was attacked with limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz about 25 nautical miles north-east of Khasab, on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. The strait is the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that links the Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The attack took place late on 29 October, in the early hours of 30 October India time.
According to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a small craft came alongside and the people on it fixed explosive devices to the hull above the waterline before leaving. The blasts started a fire in the engine room and briefly disabled the ship. The crew brought the fire under control, and the tanker later resumed its voyage. UKMTO reported no injuries and no pollution.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 27 Indian crew members are safe. He also said two Indian seafarers on the Liberia-flagged VLCC MT Arzanah, hit by a projectile in the same area on 29 October, are unhurt. News reports describe the Louise 1 strike as the first successful limpet-mine attack in the region since the conflict began in February; an attempt in September failed when the device did not explode. No one has officially claimed responsibility.
Separately, at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the attacks on merchant ships and seafarers and called for freedom of navigation.
The attack shows that small boats can now reach ships at close range in this area. Crews transiting Hormuz need a strict watch for approaching small craft, quick reporting to UKMTO, and well-practised engine-room fire drills.
