Two Indian Sailors Missing After Drone Strike Near Oman
The search for two Indian seafarers has entered its third day following a drone strike on a tanker operating off the coast of Oman. The attack, which occurred on October 11, targeted the Nicaragua-flagged vessel MT Petro Dolphin near the Sohar Anchorage.
While local fishermen successfully rescued nine Indian crew members and one Bangladeshi sailor, the whereabouts of two specific crew members remain unknown. The maritime community is facing diminishing hope as search operations continue in the wake of the strike.
The Missing Seafarers
The two missing men have been identified as:
- Amit Singh: A 20-year-old able seaman from Gopala village, Kushinagar. His family reports that he was at the primary impact zone when the drone struck. This was reportedly his first sailing contract.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav: A 25-year-old wiper from Deoria. He was working in the engine room at the time of the incident and was also on his first contract.
The families of the missing men have expressed profound distress. Ravindar Singh, the uncle of Amit Singh, noted that the young man's parents are struggling to cope with the uncertainty. Meanwhile, Mantoo Yadav, the brother of Bir Bahadur Yadav who is currently working in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the growing dangers faced by merchant sailors in the region.
Rising Maritime Security Concerns
The incident highlights the increasing volatility of maritime routes in the region. According to data from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the area has seen a significant surge in maritime threats, recording:
- 104 incidents since the conflict began on February 28.
- 24 seafarer deaths linked to these maritime disruptions.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India has called for urgent intervention and a significant improvement in search-and-rescue operations to protect workers at sea.
Regional Tensions and Additional Casualties
The drone strike near Oman follows another violent incident in the region. On October 10, a missile attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in several casualties among Indian nationals.
The Riyadh attack claimed the life of Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad, who was buried on October 12. His sons sustained serious injuries during the blast, including the need for knee surgery and toe amputations. Other victims from the airport incident include four Indians in the ICU and four in general wards, while three others have been discharged.
As regional tensions persist, the Indian Embassies in both Muscat and Riyadh continue to issue security advisories to citizens operating in the area.