Muscat, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : A drone attack on a commercial tanker off the coast of Oman has left two Indian sailors missing. The incident occurred on October 11, and the Indian Embassy in Muscat has confirmed the situation.
The embassy reported on social media platform X, stating, “We are closely monitoring the situation involving the MT Petro Dolphin, a tanker registered under the Nicaraguan flag. Two of the eleven Indian sailors aboard are currently missing. We are in constant contact with the relevant authorities.”
Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also addressed the issue on X, confirming that the tanker was attacked while anchored at Sohar. He stated that while nine Indian crew members were successfully rescued and are safe, two remain unaccounted for.
Search and rescue operations are actively being conducted by local coast guard forces. Sonowal emphasized that the government is coordinating with all relevant authorities to ensure the safe recovery of the missing personnel.
This incident follows a similar attack on another vessel with an Indian crew just days earlier. On October 6, India condemned an attack on the MT On Peace, which was struck by a projectile while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The government reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such incidents to maintain peace and stability in the region.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the crew of the MT On Peace included 17 Indian nationals, of whom 12 were injured, including 11 Indians.
The Ministry expressed deep concern over the ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the region and reiterated the need to halt such assaults to restore safe navigation and commerce through international waterways.
Tensions in the maritime region remain high, with calls for an end to targeting commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure.
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