768 Indian Seafarers Stranded in Gulf After Fatal Strike
A total of 768 Indian seafarers stranded in Gulf waters remain trapped on 28 Indian-flagged tankers and cargo ships as a deteriorating security situation has triggered a freeze in commercial movement. The crisis follows a fatal maritime strike off the coast of Oman, leaving hundreds of civilian mariners in a state of extreme uncertainty.
Tragedy off the Musandam Coast
The situation escalated into a tragedy following an attack on the MV Cape Dao, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel, near the Musandam coast of Oman. The ship, which was en route to India from Mina Saqr in the UAE, sustained significant damage to its accommodation deck and engine room.
Of the 28 crew members on board, 20 were Indian nationals. During the incident, 26-year-old Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Karmajeet Pur in the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, tragically died from a head injury. While the Royal Navy of Oman successfully rescued the remaining 19 Indian crew members, Yadav’s family is still waiting for the repatriation of his remains.
Massive Number of Seafarers in the Region
According to a situation note released by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), the scale of Indian maritime presence in the region is vast. There are approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers currently in Gulf waters and ports. The breakdown of their locations is as follows:
- UAE: 12,830
- Saudi Arabia: 3,131
- Qatar: 2,372
- Oman: 1,687
- Bahrain: 276
While 215 individuals have already been evacuated from Bahrain and Muscat, the 768 crew members on the 28 stranded vessels continue to await assistance and safe passage.
Union Alarms and Safety Concerns
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India