Muscat: An oil tanker carrying 11 Indian seafarers was hit in a reported drone attack at Sohar Anchorage in Oman, leaving two Indian crew members missing, while nine others were rescued and reported safe, according to Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The tanker was identified as MT Petro Dolphin. The incident was reported on Sunday, October 11, amid heightened maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Oman and surrounding waters.
Nine Indian Crew Members Rescued
- In a statement posted on social media, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said nine Indian crew members had been successfully rescued and were safe.
- Two Indian nationals remained missing at the time of the announcement. Search and rescue operations were underway, with the local Coast Guard working to locate them.
- The minister said Indian authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to support the rescue effort and help locate the missing seafarers.
Drone Attack Reported at Sohar Anchorage
- According to reports citing the minister, the tanker was subjected to a drone attack while at Sohar Anchorage, near the Omani port of Sohar.
- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors maritime security incidents, has also reported a tanker related incident in the wider region.
- The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the source of the drone and the full extent of the damage to the vessel, had not been established in the reports available at the time of publication.
- No responsibility for the reported attack had been confirmed.
Rising Maritime Security Concerns
- The incident comes amid continuing security concerns affecting commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important route for international oil and energy shipments.
- Recent maritime security reports have described attacks and suspicious incidents involving commercial vessels in the wider region. Such incidents can threaten seafarers’ safety, disrupt shipping operations and increase uncertainty for energy markets.
- Authorities are monitoring the situation, while shipping operators have been urged to remain alert to evolving maritime security risks.
Search Operations Continue
- The immediate priority remains locating the two missing Indian seafarers and establishing the full circumstances of the incident.
- Further details concerning the vessel’s condition, possible environmental impact and the cause of the attack were awaited at the time of reporting.
Business Galaxy Note: This report is based on the statement attributed to Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and published media reports. The number of missing crew members and rescue status reflects information available at the time of publication. The identity of those responsible for the reported attack has not been confirmed.
Business Galaxy – Reporting Facts. Shaping Futures.
