All 24 Indian seafarers aboard two vessels hit in separate attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and off Romania are safe, with no casualties or injuries, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday.
Two vessels, two attacks
In a post on X, Sonowal said the crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. In a separate incident on October 14, the chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania. "Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries," the minister said.
Sonowal added that authorities were continuously monitoring both situations and remained in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the crew members.
India condemns attacks at the UN
The incidents come amid a series of reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region. On Thursday, India strongly condemned attacks on maritime navigation and commercial shipping at the United Nations Security Council's quarterly open debate on West Asia, calling such strikes "legally and morally indefensible" and urging the protection of seafarers, including Indian nationals. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, called for immediate de-escalation and a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
NDTV also reported that two Indian nationals remain missing after the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was hit in a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage on October 11. Nine crew members were rescued and are safe, while search-and-rescue operations by the local Coast Guard were underway. Separately, all 11 Indian crew aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, were reported safe, as were 22 Indians aboard the Panama-flagged MT GEM NO. 2 hit in a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9.
Sources:
NDTV: 24 Indian seafarers safe after tankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz, Romania
The Tribune: 24 Indian seafarers safe after tanker incidents in Strait of Hormuz, Romania
Two vessels, two attacks
In a post on X, Sonowal said the crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. In a separate incident on October 14, the chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania. "Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries," the minister said.
Sonowal added that authorities were continuously monitoring both situations and remained in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the crew members.
India condemns attacks at the UN
The incidents come amid a series of reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region. On Thursday, India strongly condemned attacks on maritime navigation and commercial shipping at the United Nations Security Council's quarterly open debate on West Asia, calling such strikes "legally and morally indefensible" and urging the protection of seafarers, including Indian nationals. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, called for immediate de-escalation and a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
NDTV also reported that two Indian nationals remain missing after the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was hit in a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage on October 11. Nine crew members were rescued and are safe, while search-and-rescue operations by the local Coast Guard were underway. Separately, all 11 Indian crew aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, were reported safe, as were 22 Indians aboard the Panama-flagged MT GEM NO. 2 hit in a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9.
Sources:
NDTV: 24 Indian seafarers safe after tankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz, Romania
The Tribune: 24 Indian seafarers safe after tanker incidents in Strait of Hormuz, Romania
