Indian Seafarer Killed in Double Torpedo Strike off Oman
A devastating maritime attack has claimed the life of a young Indian crew member as the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao was struck by twin torpedoes while transiting through the waters off the east coast of Oman. The incident, which occurred on September 23, 2026, has heightened fears regarding the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
Suraj Yadav, a 26-year-old wiper hailing from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, lost his life following the strike. The vessel, which flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was traveling from Mina Saqr in the UAE toward India when the violence erupted.
The Details of the Assault
The attack involved two distinct projectile strikes that crippled the vessel. According to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), the first torpedo hit the port-side C-deck accommodation area. This was immediately followed by a second strike to the hull near the engine room, which ignited a fire and left the ship drifting.
While the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an unknown projectile strike in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, the immediate aftermath was a rescue operation led by the Royal Navy of Oman, which successfully saved 19 other Indian crew members from the vessel.
Government Response and Repatriation Efforts
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the attack, describing the ongoing targeting of commercial vessels as a deeply worrisome trend. In the wake of the tragedy, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has pledged full government support to assist the victim's family and ensure that Yadav’s remains are returned home with dignity.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is currently working in coordination with Omani authorities to facilitate the return of the 19 survivors and the deceased seafarer.
Urgent Demands for Enhanced Maritime Security
The FSUI has issued a formal demand to the Prime Minister, calling for immediate action to protect the thousands of Indian nationals working in high-risk maritime zones. The union is pushing for several critical measures:
- The establishment of a 24/7 National Crisis Management Team under the PMO.
- The provision of naval escorts for Indian crew members on both domestic and foreign-flagged vessels in volatile areas, including the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea.
- The implementation of time-bound compensation for those affected by such attacks.
- The activation of a BRICS Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network.
The scale of the risk is significant, with approximately 18,000 Indian seafarers currently operating within these dangerous waters.
This incident adds to a growing list of casualties in the broader Middle East conflict this year, which has already seen 16 Indians, including 10 seafarers, reported dead. The attack has intensified the anxiety of maritime families in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar who depend on the shipping industry for their livelihoods.