Indian Sailor Killed in Drone Attack Near Oman Coast
A 25-year-old Indian seafarer died after a suspected drone strike hit a cargo dhow carrying dates from the UAE near the Oman coast.
A 25-year-old Indian seafarer has lost his life following a suspected aerial attack on a cargo vessel operating near the coast of Limah, Oman. The victim, identified as Nahim Ajij Gandhar, was aboard the Indian-flagged dhow MSV Al Jusufi when it was struck by an unidentified aerial object, believed to be a drone or a missile, on November 2, 2026.
Tragedy on the MSV Al Jusufi
The vessel was engaged in a commercial voyage, transporting approximately 900 metric tonnes of dates from Hamriyah port in the UAE to Porbandar in Gujarat, India. The impact of the projectile caused the wooden dhow to catch fire, leading to the total destruction of the ship and its cargo.
According to Akbar Ahmed Sumbhaniya, a relative of the vessel's owner, Gandhar was at the helm of the ship at the moment of impact. He sustained a fractured leg and severe injuries to his left hand. Although the crew managed to execute an emergency evacuation into a lifeboat within five minutes of the strike, Gandhar succumbed to his injuries.
Rescue Operations and Repatriation Delays
The Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued the remaining 13 crew members, all of whom are residents of Salaya in the Devbhumi Dwarka district. While the survivors are currently awaiting visas to return to India via flight, the process for the deceased has faced complications.
Due to delays in repatriation formalities, Gandhar's family made the decision to bury him at Khasab port in Oman on November 4, 2026.
Financial and Human Impact
The incident has resulted in massive economic losses, with the destruction of the vessel and its substantial cargo of dates estimated to cost between Rs 2 crore and Rs 3 crore.
Beyond the financial toll, this tragedy highlights the escalating dangers in the region. This attack brings the total number of Indian deaths linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict to 23, including 15 seafarers, since the start of US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.
Government Response and Maritime Security Concerns
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attack, issuing a call for the protection of commercial shipping and the preservation of free navigation in international waters. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his condolences and confirmed that the Indian government is actively coordinating the repatriation of both the survivors and the deceased.
The Indian Sailing Vessels Association has also taken action, petitioning the Iranian Ambassador to ensure safe passage for traditional vessels. This marks the fourth such attack since February, which has already claimed the lives of two Gujarati sailors. Despite exemptions for Indian vessels from certain restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing regional tensions continue to pose a significant threat to maritime operations.