On 18 September 2026, two foreign-flagged tankers carrying Indian crew members were attacked in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz.
- MT Basrah Energy struck by a projectile near the Strait, all 22 crew safe and reached Fujairah anchorage in the UAE.
- MT Trend targeted by a drone near Khasab Port, Oman.
- 153 Indian seafarers remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz.
On 18 September 2026, the Panama-flagged crude tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile in its funnel area while sailing eastbound just outside the Strait. All 22 crew members, including 14 Indian nationals, were reported safe, and the vessel subsequently reached Fujairah anchorage in the UAE. Separately, the Togo-flagged products tanker Trend was targeted by a drone near Khasab Port, Oman, on the same day. While damage details and specific crew counts for the Trend were not immediately released, the incidents have left 153 Indian seafarers stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz.
These attacks occur amidst a volatile period for Indian mariners in the region. Since the start of the West Asia conflict in 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported 16 Indian national deaths in the region, including 10 seafarers, with casualties recorded in both Oman and the UAE. Furthermore, 75 Indians have sustained injuries, and a separate industrial incident at Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility resulted in 12 additional Indian deaths. On 15 September, the Panama-flagged MT El Gaia was struck inside the Strait; while 13 of the 14 Indian crew were rescued, an oiler from Vaishali, Sumit Kumar Singh, remains unaccounted for.
Currently, 153 Indian seafarers remain on six Indian-flagged ships and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest located west of the Strait. Authorities have identified 10 vessels for potential evacuation. While the Indian government provides support via the Directorate of Maritime Administration (DGMA) welfare scheme—offering Rs 10 lakh in ex-gratia for war-zone casualties, supplemented by union agreements—critics argue that market pressures often cause ship owners to ignore safety advisories regarding hazardous transits. On 19 September, India addressed the UN Security Council, calling for an end to the targeting of maritime trade. Data from 2023–2025 referenced by Panchjanya indicates that over 800 Indians have died in workplace-related incidents globally, with the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, accounting for the majority of these fatalities.
