768 Indian Seafarers Stranded in Gulf After Fatal Ship Attack
A major maritime crisis is unfolding in the Gulf as 768 Indian seafarers remain trapped on 28 Indian-flagged tankers and cargo vessels. The situation follows a violent attack on September 23, 2026, which has left the regional shipping industry in a state of paralysis.
The Attack on MV Cape Dao
The crisis was triggered when the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier, MV Cape Dao, was struck by an unknown projectile off the Musandam coast of Oman. The vessel was in transit from Mina Saqr, UAE, toward India at the time of the incident.
Reports from the Forward Seamen’s Union of India indicate that the vessel sustained two direct hits: one impacting the engine room and another striking the C-deck crew accommodation. The strike caused significant damage and led to a fire on board.
Tragedy and Rescue Operations
The maritime attack has claimed the life of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav, a wiper from the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh. Yadav, who had recently left home on August 19, sustained fatal head injuries during the strike. While the Royal Navy of Oman successfully rescued 19 other Indian crew members from the burning ship, Yadav’s remains have not yet been repatriated to his family.
The loss has hit his family hard; his father is currently working in Muscat, and the young seafarer had only recently spoken to his loved ones via video call before the tragedy occurred.
Critical Shortages and Shipping Freeze
The stranded crew members are facing increasingly desperate conditions. As commercial shipping traffic has frozen due to the widespread withdrawal of insurance coverage, the 768 seafarers on these 28 vessels are grappling with:
- Critical shortages of drinking water
- Dwindling fuel supplies
- Isolation due to the halt in commercial traffic
While 215 personnel have managed to be relocated from Bahrain and Muscat, hundreds more remain stuck in high-risk zones.
The Scale of the Indian Workforce in the Region
The incident highlights the vulnerability of the massive Indian maritime workforce operating in the Gulf. According to data from the Directorate General of Shipping, there are approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers currently in the region, distributed as follows:
- UAE: 12,830
- Saudi Arabia: 3,131
- Qatar: 2,372
- Oman: 1,687
- Bahrain: 276
Demands for Protection and Compensation
In response to the crisis, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India has submitted a formal request to the Prime Minister’s Office. The union is calling for:
- Immediate compensation for the family of the deceased, Suraj Yadav.
- The establishment of a 24x7 crisis cell to manage maritime emergencies.
- Increased naval protection for crews operating in