768 Indian Seafarers Stranded in Gulf After Fatal Attack
A major security freeze in the region has left hundreds of Indian seafarers stranded in Gulf waters following a deadly projectile strike on a merchant vessel. Currently, 768 crew members are trapped on 28 Indian-flagged tankers and cargo ships as commercial maritime traffic remains suspended due to the heightened security threat.
The Fatal Strike on MV Cape Dao
The crisis was triggered on 23 September when the MV Cape Dao, a bulk carrier flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman. The vessel was traveling from Mina Saqr in the UAE toward India when the attack occurred.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), the ship sustained two separate impacts on its port side. One strike hit the C-deck accommodation area, while a second impact occurred near the engine room. The strikes ignited a fire and caused the vessel to drift helplessly.
Tragic Loss of Life
The incident claimed the life of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. Yadav died from a head injury sustained during the strike. In a heartbreaking detail, he had been in contact with his family, including his father who works in Muscat, via video call only hours before the attack.
While the Royal Navy of Oman successfully rescued the remaining 19 Indian crew members on board, the victim's remains were still being processed as of 27 September. India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy in Muscat have condemned the attack, and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has pledged to ensure the victim's body is repatriated with dignity.
Scale of the Maritime Crisis
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has released situation notes highlighting the massive number of Indian nationals currently navigating these high-risk waters. There are approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers in the Gulf region, with the following distribution:
- UAE: 12,830
- Saudi Arabia: 3,131
- Qatar: 2,372
- Oman: 1,687
- Bahrain: 276
While 215 seafarers have been successfully evacuated from Bahrain and Muscat, the 768 individuals remaining on immobilized vessels are unable to move due to the ongoing suspension of commercial traffic in the area.
Demands for Urgent Protection
In light of the escalating danger, the FSUI has formally petitioned the Indian Prime Minister to intervene. The union is calling for the immediate establishment of a 24/7 crisis management cell and the provision of naval escorts for vessels operating in volatile zones.
The union emphasized that seafarers are facing extreme systemic and physical risks, including:
- Immediate Threats: Mines, drones, and projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz,