Two Indian Sailors Missing After Drone Strike on Oman Tanker
A drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin off the coast of Oman has left two Indian sailors missing. The incident, which occurred at the Sohar Anchorage on October 11, triggered significant fires and thick smoke across the vessel.
Search Continues for Missing Crew
While emergency rescue efforts were successful for several personnel, two young men have yet to be located: 20-year-old Amit Singh and 25-year-old Bir Bahadur Yadav. Local fishermen and the Coast Guard managed to rescue nine other Indian crew members and one Bangladeshi national from the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the two missing sailors are particularly distressing. Amit Singh, an able seaman from Gopala village in Uttar Pradesh, was reportedly working in the immediate vicinity of the drone's impact zone. His uncle, Ravindar Singh, noted that the family has lost hope for his survival given the proximity to the strike.
Bir Bahadur Yadav, who served as a wiper on the vessel, was working to complete his nine-month contract. His brother, Mantoo Yadav, who resides in Abu Dhabi, stated that the family remains in deep distress as they await further news.
Rising Maritime Tensions in the Gulf
No entity has claimed responsibility for the strike on the MT Petro Dolphin. However, the attack underscores the growing volatility in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. According to the International Maritime Organisation, there have been 104 maritime incidents and 24 seafarer deaths in the region since February.
Official Coordination and Response
The Indian government is actively monitoring the situation. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that authorities are coordinating with Oman, while the Indian Embassy in Muscat is tracking developments closely. Additionally, the Forward Seamen's Union of India has requested urgent updates and enhanced protection for maritime personnel operating in these waters.
Broader Regional Conflict
The drone strike follows another violent incident on October 10, when a Houthi projectile strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, resulted in 13 deaths. Among the victims was Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Hyderabad. The Riyadh attack also injured more than 300 people, including 11 Indians.
In light of the escalating violence, several Indian carriers have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the ongoing conflict in the region has resulted in the repatriation of over 300,000 Indians from the Gulf since February 28.