On October 11, two commercial tankers with Indian crew members onboard came under attack in separate incidents within the vital Strait of Hormuz region and off the coast of Oman. These strikes have heightened international concerns regarding maritime security and led to two Indian seafarers being reported missing.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India strongly condemned the assaults, cautioning that repeated hostilities against commercial shipping in this crucial waterway risk exacerbating an already volatile regional situation. India has called for immediate de-escalation, diplomatic dialogue, and strict adherence to the freedom of navigation under international law.
Details of the Attacks
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, MT Valthera, carrying 11 Indian crew members, was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The impact caused a fire onboard. Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed via social media that all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the MT Valthera were safe following the incident.
In a separate, more severe incident, the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin, which had 11 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi national among its 12 crew members, was hit by a drone at the Sohar Anchorage off Oman. While 10 crew members were successfully rescued and are reported safe, two Indian seafarers remain missing. Local Coast Guard units are actively leading search-and-rescue operations to locate them. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM local time.
Broader Context and Previous Incidents
These attacks are not isolated events. The region has seen a significant increase in hostilities against commercial vessels in recent weeks. On October 6, another incident involved the Panama-flagged vessel MT On Peace, which was struck by a projectile off Oman's coast while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the 19 crew members, 17 were Indian, and 11 Indian sailors were among the 12 injured. They were evacuated with Omani assistance and are receiving treatment in Khasab, Oman.
The rising number of attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz follows the recent collapse of Iran-US peace talks and ongoing US blockades. At least seven tanker attacks were recorded in the first week of October alone, including strikes on the Kuwait-flagged MT Kazimah III and the Liberia-flagged Lipsi. These incidents continue even as crude shipments through the waterway have recovered to near pre-war levels, underscoring the persistent threat to global maritime trade.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively coordinating with Omani authorities and the respective ship management companies to locate the missing crew and provide comprehensive assistance to all affected seafarers. The safety of Indian nationals remains a top priority for the Indian government.