Urgent Alert: Two Ships With Indian Crews Attacked Near Hormuz

Two foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian crew members were attacked on Thursday near the Strait of Hormuz and off the coast of Oman’s Khasab Port. The Panama-flagged crude tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile in its funnel area while sailing eastbound just outside the strait. Separately, the Togo-flagged product tanker Trend was reportedly hit by a drone, though details regarding that incident remain incomplete. Reports indicate the crew of the MT Basrah Energy is safe.

• Two foreign-flagged ships with Indian crew members attacked near Strait of Hormuz and Oman
• 153 Indian seafarers currently trapped onboard 14 ships west of Hormuz
• Houthi drones and missiles also target Saudi Arabian cities where millions of Indians reside

Vessel Attacks and Trapped Seafarers

According to data from the Directorate of Maritime Administration as of September 17-18, 2026, there are 153 Indian seafarers currently onboard six Indian-flagged ships and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest positioned west of Hormuz. Authorities have marked ten of these vessels for evacuation. Previous attacks in the region have resulted in deaths, injuries, and the disappearance of one seafarer off the coast of Oman.

Regional Strikes and Indian Community Impact

In the same week, Houthi drones and missiles targeted Saudi Arabian cities including Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, where tens of thousands of Indian nationals reside. Indian officials condemned these strikes, as well as an intercepted drone near Mecca, citing them as threats to regional security and the freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

Currently, more than 3.5 million Indians reside in the UAE and 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia, living under the tension of a conflict that has caused dozens of casualties among Indian citizens since February 2026. Indian embassies continue to maintain operational helplines and coordinate with host governments regarding ongoing security concerns and the repatriation of citizens, while airspace restrictions continue to impact families in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar.