Indian ship hit off Oman: 1 Gujarat seafarer killed, 13 rescued

New Delhi: One Indian seafarer died while 13 others were rescued after an Indian-flagged vessel carrying 14 Indian crew members was hit by an unidentified aerial object near the coast of Oman, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on X, Sonowal confirmed that the vessel, MSV AL JUSUFI, was navigating near the Omani coastline when it was struck by the unidentified object on Monday. The 13 surviving crew members safely evacuated the vessel and were picked up by the Omani Coast Guard.

The deceased seafarer was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, hailing from Gujarat.

"On Nov 2, the Indian MSV AL JUSUFI, carrying 14 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the coast of Oman. While 13 crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, I am deeply saddened to report that one of our seafarers, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, tragically succumbed to his injuries," Sonowal said.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this hour of immense grief. The Ministry and Indian Embassy in Oman are in contact with local authorities to ensure immediate assistance for the 13 survivors and facilitate the swift repatriation of both the surviving crew and mortal remains of our deceased seafarer," he added.

The strike comes amid recurring reports of hostile attacks targeting commercial vessels and maritime personnel across the Persian Gulf and the wider West Asian region as regional conflicts escalate.

On October 30, a Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier, M/T Al Mayeda, carrying six Indian seafarers, was hit by a projectile in the Persian Gulf.

In a social media update on Saturday, Sonowal confirmed that all six Indian nationals, alongside the vessel's entire 25-member crew, were unhurt.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised sharp concerns regarding repeated strikes on merchant shipping and maritime crews during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, stressing the imperative to safeguard freedom of navigation.

In a message published on X, Jaishankar noted that developing nations across the Global South were disproportionately suffering from hostilities in the Middle East, with strikes against merchant shipping endangering the supply and pricing of basic commodities.

"The Global South is disproportionately bearing the consequences of attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, jeopardising the availability and cost of fuel, food and fertilisers," Jaishankar stated.

The latest casualty has once again drawn sharp focus to the safety of Indian maritime workers operating across conflict-affected waters in West Asia.

ANI