Indian Seafarer Injured in Persian Gulf Tanker Attack
An Indian seafarer was injured after a projectile hit the MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY tanker in the Persian Gulf. Read more on the crew's safety and status.
An Indian seafarer was injured after a projectile struck the MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, a Liberia-flagged oil tanker, while it was transiting the Persian Gulf.
The incident occurred on November 10 as the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was navigating its route from Al Ruwais to Dubai. The strike resulted in injuries to four crew members, including one Indian national who sustained minor injuries. The injured seafarer has been transported ashore for medical evaluation.
Government Monitoring Crew Welfare
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident on Wednesday, November 11. He stated that the remaining 18 crew members, including five other Indian nationals, are currently safe.
The Indian government is actively coordinating with the ship's management company to monitor the security and medical welfare of the crew members on board.
Escalating Risks for Maritime Workers
This attack comes amid a period of heightened tension and rising risks for the maritime workforce in the region. Recent reports from the Ministry of External Affairs have highlighted the growing dangers faced by Indian nationals in West Asia:
- Since February, 23 Indian nationals have died in the West Asia conflict.
- Of these fatalities, 15 were seafarers.
- One such victim was Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, who was killed in a drone strike on the Indian-flagged vessel MSV AL JUSUFI off the coast of Oman.
The frequency of attacks on commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is on a sharp upward trend. Data published by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy indicates that 37 vessels were attacked in October alone, marking the highest monthly frequency since the escalation of the Iran-US conflict. These strikes continue to pose significant risks to both global energy supplies and the safety of the international maritime workforce.