New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Two Indian sailors remain missing after a drone attack struck the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin near Sohar port in northern Oman on October 11. Nine other Indian crew members aboard the vessel have been rescued and reported safe, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
According to the minister, the tanker was carrying 11 Indian seafarers when it came under attack at the Sohar anchorage. Local coast guard teams are conducting search-and-rescue operations to locate the two missing crew members.
In a post on X, Sonowal said Indian authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to support rescue efforts and ensure all possible measures were taken to find the missing sailors.
The Embassy of India in Muscat also confirmed that it was closely monitoring the incident and remained in continuous contact with the authorities concerned.
Another Attack Raises Concerns Over Maritime Safety
The incident comes amid a series of attacks involving commercial vessels in waters around Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, which was carrying 11 Indian crew members, was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The impact reportedly triggered a fire, although all Indian crew members aboard were reported safe.
The latest incidents have heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the risks faced by seafarers operating in the region.
India Raises Alarm Over Attacks on Shipping
India has a substantial presence in the global maritime workforce, with more than 320,000 active seafarers recorded in 2025, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The safety of Indian crew members has become a growing concern amid escalating regional hostilities. Several Indian mariners have reportedly lost their lives in attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned an attack on a Panama-flagged vessel that was struck by a projectile off Oman’s coast while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry expressed deep concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping and called for an immediate halt to such incidents, stressing the importance of peace and stability in the region.
Rescue Operations Continue
The immediate priority remains locating the two missing sailors from MT Petro Dolphin. Indian officials are maintaining contact with local authorities as search operations continue.
With multiple incidents involving commercial vessels reported in recent days, the developments have renewed calls for the protection of civilian shipping and the safety of seafarers navigating one of the world’s strategically important maritime corridors.
