11 Indian Sailors Injured in Tanker Attack Near Oman
Eleven Indian sailors were injured following a projectile strike on the MT On Peace, a Panama-flagged tanker, near the Musandam peninsula off the coast of Oman. The strike, which occurred on October 6, 2026, ignited a fire on board the large vessel, sending shockwaves through the maritime community in the region.
Emergency Evacuation in Musandam
The incident took place approximately 9 nautical miles northeast of Lima in the Musandam Governorate. The MT On Peace, a 115,000 dwt LR2 vessel built in 2021, was carrying a crew of 19 members, 17 of whom were Indian nationals.
As the projectile impact caused a fire, an emergency medical evacuation was launched by the Royal Air Force of Oman. In a high-stakes operation, a helicopter landed directly on the tanker's deck to rescue the wounded. Of the 12 crew members who sustained injuries, 11 were Indian citizens. Upon arrival at Khasab hospital, at least two crew members had to be transported via stretcher due to the severity of their condition.
Rising Toll on Indian Seafarers
The attack highlights the growing dangers faced by maritime workers in West Asia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the strike and expressed deep gratitude to the Omani authorities for their rapid response and support. Jaiswal also issued a call for an end to the targeting of commercial shipping and urged the restoration of safe navigation in international waterways.
The scale of the crisis is becoming increasingly apparent through recent data provided by Indian officials:
- Total Fatalities: Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar reported that 11 Indian seafarers have died since the onset of the West Asia crisis.
- Targeted Vessels: There have been four recorded attacks on Indian-flagged vessels.
- Foreign-Flagged Risks: 74 incidents have involved foreign-flagged ships that were carrying Indian crews.
- Stranded Crew: While 4,292 Indian seafarers have been successfully repatriated, 139 remain in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ongoing Threats in High-Risk Zones
The maritime corridor remains volatile. Currently, two Indian-flagged and six India-bound ships are located within the Strait of Hormuz. This follows a string of violent incidents, including the death of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav in September, who was killed when projectiles struck the MV Cape Dao near Musandam.
In July, another strike involving an Iranian missile on UAE-linked tankers in Omani waters resulted in the death of Rohan Kumar and injured 10 other Indian nationals. With over 3.2 lakh active Indian seafarers working globally, many continue to operate in high-risk zones including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, facing constant threats amid the ongoing regional instability.