Fatal Attack on MV Cape Dao Leaves 768 Indian Seafarers Stranded
A violent projectile attack on the merchant vessel MV Cape Dao off the coast of Musandam, Oman, has resulted in the death of an Indian sailor and left hundreds of Indian seafarers stranded. The incident has triggered a massive maritime crisis, with 768 Indian crew members currently stuck on 28 Indian-flagged tankers and cargo ships due to the suspension of commercial movement in the region.
Tragedy Strikes the MV Cape Dao
The attack claimed the life of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav, a wiper from a village in Deoria, India. Yadav, who was serving his very first merchant navy contract after departing India on August 19, sustained a fatal head injury during the assault.
According to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India, the vessel was struck by two projectiles on its port side. One hit the C-deck accommodation, while the other struck the hull near the engine room, leaving the bulk carrier adrift and burning. In a swift rescue operation, the Royal Navy of Oman managed to save 19 other Indian crew members from the burning ship.
Massive Scale of Seafarer Stranding
The attack has highlighted the precarious situation for Indian maritime workers in the Gulf. While 768 sailors are directly stranded on specific vessels, a total of approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers are currently located in Gulf waters and ports. The distribution of Indian sailors across the region is as follows:
- UAE: 12,830
- Saudi Arabia: 3,131
- Qatar: 2,372
- Oman: 1,687
- Bahrain: 276
Although 215 individuals have been successfully relocated from Muscat and Bahrain, many others remain in limbo awaiting further action.
Government Response and Repatriation Efforts
The Indian government has officially condemned the attack, describing it as "deeply worrisome" and calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has issued directives to ensure that both the survivors and the mortal remains of the deceased are repatriated as soon as possible.
To manage the escalating crisis, the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping has established a 24-hour communication center. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Muscat is coordinating with Omani authorities and the ship's operator to return Suraj Yadav's body to his family in Karmajeet Pur.