11 Indians Injured as Projectile Hits Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
A commercial vessel transiting the critical Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, leaving several crew members wounded. The Panama-flagged tanker, MT On Peace (IMO 9893204), was navigating the waters off the coast of Oman when the incident occurred.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
The vessel was carrying a total crew of 19, 17 of whom are Indian nationals. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the strike resulted in 12 injuries, 11 of which were sustained by Indian citizens. The remaining six Indian crew members on board were reported to be uninjured.
Following the attack, Omani authorities launched a rapid evacuation operation to assist the wounded. The injured sailors were transported to the port of Khasab on the Musandam peninsula for medical treatment. In response to the rescue efforts, the Indian government expressed its gratitude to the government of Muscat for providing essential medical support and assistance during the evacuation.
Rising Maritime Attacks
The MEA issued a formal condemnation of the strike, highlighting a deep concern regarding the repeated targeting of commercial shipping in the region. The ministry emphasized that for international commerce and safe navigation to continue through these vital waterways, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, commercial vessels, and seafarers must cease immediately.
This incident is part of a significant escalation in maritime violence. Recent reports indicate a surge in activity, with at least seven tanker attacks recorded during the first week of October alone. These include strikes on the Liberia-flagged Lipsi and the Kuwait-flagged MT Kazimah III.
Threat to Indian Mariners
The instability in the Strait of Hormuz—a primary chokepoint for global energy shipments—poses a direct threat to the massive Indian maritime workforce. Approximately 23,000 Indian mariners are currently operating in Gulf waters.
The region has seen several recent tragedies involving Indian seafarers, including:
- Rohan Kumar: Lost his life during a July attack involving the MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahiyah.
- Suraj Yadav: A 26-year-old wiper from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, who died on September 23 during an attack on the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV Cape Dao.
Indian diplomatic missions are currently coordinating with medical authorities to provide updates and are managing the necessary notifications for the next of kin.