Tragedy at Sea: Indian Seafarer Killed in Torpedo Strike off Oman Coast
A devastating maritime attack has claimed the life of a young Indian seafarer near the coast of Oman. Suraj Yadav, a 26-year-old wiper from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was killed on the morning of Wednesday, September 23, when his vessel was struck by what his union identified as torpedoes.
The incident occurred while the MV Cape Dao, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier, was navigating toward India near the Musandam coast. According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations, the strike by unknown projectiles triggered a fire in the ship's engine room, leaving the vessel adrift in dangerous waters.
Rescue Operations and Conflicting Reports
The Royal Navy of Oman conducted a rescue operation, successfully evacuating 27 crew members from the stricken ship. However, the attack resulted in one confirmed fatality. Suraj Yadav suffered fatal head injuries during the strike and is currently awaiting repatriation to India.
There are currently conflicting reports regarding the number of Indian nationals on board the vessel:
- The Indian Embassy in Muscat: States that 19 Indians were aboard the ship.
- Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI): Reports that there were 20 Indian nationals on the vessel.
A Pattern of Maritime Violence
While no specific entity has claimed responsibility for the strike on the MV Cape Dao, the attack follows a troubling pattern of maritime strikes linked to tensions involving Iranian forces and their proxies. This tragedy marks the 11th death of an Indian seafarer in these specific waters since the escalation of conflict in late February 2026. During this same period, an additional 12 crew members have sustained injuries.
In light of the incident, the FSUI has formally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The union is demanding:
- Strict accountability for the attack.
- Guaranteed safe passage for merchant vessels.
- An immediate end to attacks targeting civilian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional Geopolitical Tensions
The maritime strike coincides with significant diplomatic activity at the UN General Assembly in New York, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have been involved in indirect discussions.
As regional volatility continues, the UAE has taken proactive measures to protect its interests. UAE adviser Anwar Gargash noted that the country has responded by suspending trade with Iran and barring branches of Bank Melli Iran from conducting local transactions.