Urgent: Two Tankers With Indian Crews Attacked Near Strait of Hormuz
On Thursday, two foreign-flagged tankers with Indian crew members were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, leaving 153 Indian seafarers stranded west of the waterway.
- The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile near the strait and anchored at Fujairah with all 22 crew members surviving.
- The Togo-flagged oil product tanker Trend was hit by a drone near Khasab Port in Oman.
- Currently, 153 Indian seafarers remain trapped on 14 ships west of the Strait, with 10 of these ships marked for evacuation.
Details of the Tanker Attacks
The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile in its funnel area while traveling eastbound just outside the strait. According to Directorate of Maritime Administration records cited by the Hindustan Times and Business Standard on 18 September 2026, the vessel sustained no major structural damage, and all 22 crew members—14 of whom are Indian—survived. The tanker has since anchored at Fujairah. Around the same time, the Togo-flagged oil product tanker Trend was reportedly hit by a drone near Khasab Port on Oman's Musandam peninsula. Details regarding potential injuries, flag-state response, and the identity of the attackers remain under investigation as of Friday. These incidents are part of a broader, months-long conflict affecting Indian merchant mariners. Currently, six Indian-flagged ships and eight foreign-flagged vessels with Indian interests are located west of the Strait within the Persian Gulf, carrying 153 Indian seafarers. Ten of these ships have been marked for evacuation.
Previous Incidents and Government Support
Recent maritime tensions include the attack on the Panama-flagged MT El Gaia, where 13 of the 14 Indian crew members were successfully evacuated. One Indian oiler, Sumit Kumar Singh of Vaishali, remains missing. Iran’s IRGC alleged the ship was using an illegal route and struck mines, while the United States reported the vessel was hit by a missile and a drone. New Delhi has yet to officially attribute blame for the attacks. Since the West Asia conflict escalated in late February, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration has managed thousands of communications regarding seafarer safety, with thousands already repatriated. While some companies are rerouting vessels to avoid the Strait, Indian crews continue to operate in the region. Between 2023 and 2025, hundreds of Indian nationals have died in the Gulf, with some families receiving ₹10 lakh in ex-gratia payments for high-risk cases. The Indian government advises families of sailors to contact the 24/7 DGMA center or missions in Oman and the UAE for updates using specific vessel names and IMO numbers rather than relying on social media.