Drone Strike Hits LPG Tanker Near Hormuz; Nine Indian Seafarers Escape Unharmed
A Liberia-flagged LPG tanker, the M.T. Al Maryah, was targeted by a drone strike east of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Although the vessel sustained damage during the attack, it successfully maintained its power and propulsion, allowing it to reach Khor Fakkan safely.
All 19 crew members on board, including nine Indian nationals, survived the incident without injury.
Rising Casualties in Regional Conflict
The survival of the M.T. Al Maryah crew stands in stark contrast to the mounting human cost of the ongoing Middle East conflict. According to data presented by the Government of India to Parliament, 16 Indian nationals have lost their lives due to the conflict since 2026, with 10 of those fatalities being seafarers.
Breakdown of Conflict-Related Fatalities
- Oman: 8 deaths
- UAE: 4 deaths
- Kuwait: 2 deaths
- Saudi Arabia: 1 death
- Iraq: 1 death
The impact on the Indian community extends to those injured; 75 nationals have been reported injured in the region. This includes 32 individuals in the UAE, 24 in Oman, 13 in Kuwait, four in Qatar, and one each in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Workplace Hazards and Compensation Gaps
Beyond active conflict zones, industrial disasters continue to claim Indian lives. A major incident at Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facility recently resulted in the deaths of 12 Indian nationals. This aligns with broader Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data, which indicates that over 800 Indian nationals died in overseas workplace accidents between 2023 and 2025.
A staggering 55 percent of these workplace fatalities occurred in Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 182 deaths and the UAE recording 128. Despite these losses, many families face bureaucratic hurdles when seeking justice or aid. For instance, while the Directorate of Maritime Administration (DGMA) requires a Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia payment for seafarers killed in war zones, only five of the 16 conflict-related deaths have received this compensation to date.
Consular Services and Migrant Vulnerabilities
With over 140 Indian seafarers currently operating on various vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, administrative support is being adjusted to meet worker needs. The 16 Indian Consular Application Centres across the UAE, now managed by Alhind following a transition