Two Indian Seafarers Missing After Drone Attack on Tanker Off Oman’s Sohar

The Nicaragua-flagged tanker was carrying 11 Indian seafarers when it came under attack on October 11. Search-and-rescue operations are underway to locate the two missing crew members.

“While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing,” Sonowal said in a post on X.

He added that the local Coast Guard was conducting search-and-rescue operations and that Indian authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to support efforts to locate the missing personnel.

The Embassy of India in Muscat also confirmed that it was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining continuous contact with the concerned authorities.

The incident comes days after another commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members was attacked off the coast of Oman, raising fresh concerns over the safety of seafarers and commercial shipping in the region.

On October 6, India condemned an attack on the Panama-flagged vessel MT On Peace, which was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the vessel had 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals. Twelve crew members, among them 11 Indians, were injured in the attack.

India described the continuing attacks on shipping in the region as a matter of deep concern and called for an immediate end to such incidents.

“The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest,” the MEA said.

The latest attack adds to concerns over maritime security around Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for international shipping.