Two Indian seafarers are currently unaccounted for following a drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage in Oman. The vessel was carrying a crew of 11 Indian nationals, of which nine have been successfully rescued. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.
The incident occurred on October 11, prompting immediate responses from local authorities, including the Coast Guard, which is actively involved in the rescue efforts. The Embassy of India in Muscat is closely monitoring the situation and is in continuous contact with relevant authorities to ensure comprehensive support for the rescue operations.
This attack follows a recent incident on October 6, when another vessel, MT On Peace, was targeted while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries to several crew members, including 11 Indians. The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence against commercial shipping in the region, calling for an immediate halt to such incidents to maintain peace and stability.
The Ministry emphasized the need to protect seafarers and commercial vessels, urging for the restoration of safe navigation through international waters. The situation remains critical as authorities work diligently to ensure the safety of the missing personnel and to prevent further attacks on maritime operations.
