27 Indian Seafarers Survive Limpet Mine Attack Near Oman
Twenty-seven Indian crew members escaped uninjured after their tanker was struck by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman.
In a harrowing maritime incident, 27 Indian seafarers narrowly escaped disaster after their vessel was targeted by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, MT Louise 1, was struck on October 30, 2026, while transiting the waters approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab in Oman’s Musandam Governorate.
Bravery Amidst Explosions
The attack was carried out by a small craft that attached two adhesive explosives to the tanker. The resulting blast triggered a fire in the engine room, but the Indian crew members acted with remarkable speed to extinguish the flames. According to reports, the vessel remained intact with no environmental damage, and all 27 crew members escaped the incident without injury. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has confirmed the safety of the crew.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another targeted attack on a different vessel. On October 29, the Liberia-flagged VLCC MT Arzanah was also targeted in a separate maritime incident. Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has verified that the two Indian nationals aboard the MT Arzanah, as well as the entire crew of the MT Louise 1, are safe and uninjured.
The Human Cost of Regional Conflict
The safety of these seafarers comes at a time of heightened tension in the region. Data released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on October 28 reveals a grim reality regarding the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has intensified since February. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers.
Casualties have been attributed to several factors, including:
- Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting civilian and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
- Maritime incidents occurring in the waters near Oman.
Diplomatic and Medical Response
Indian Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, has been actively involved in monitoring the welfare of Indian nationals in the region. He recently visited injured Indian seafarers receiving treatment at KIMS Hospital in Muscat to review their medical care and speak with their families.
The Oman Royal Air Force has also been deployed to assist in the medical evacuation of injured personnel from the area. Currently, Indian diplomatic missions are coordinating closely with local authorities and ship managers to ensure the continued safety of Indian expatriates and seafarers operating within these volatile maritime corridors.