New Delhi: One Indian crew member is missing after Iran struck the Cyprus-flagged merchant vessel GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz, off Oman’s coast, Indian authorities said. The vessel caught fire and its crew abandoned ship; of the 11 Indians on board, 10 have been rescued while one remains unaccounted for, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed.
The ministry said, “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while 1 Indian national is reportedly missing.”
Indian diplomats in Muscat are coordinating closely with Omani officials as search-and-rescue operations continue, the statement added.
Ship Damaged, Route Dispute Cited
According to reports, GFS Galaxy sustained heavy damage after coming under attack. Iran said the strike was a corrective action because the ship allegedly used an “unauthorised” route. The incident prompted Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit point, while the US launched fresh strikes in response, further heightening regional tensions.
New Delhi Calls For Calm
India described the series of attacks on commercial shipping as deeply troubling and urged immediate de-escalation. “The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” the ministry said.
The statement stressed that international law protects commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure, and underlined the need to restore “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region.”
Escalation After Attacks
The US Central Command said the GFS Galaxy was damaged to the point it could not continue, and confirmed one civilian crew member was missing, as reported by NDTV. It also said Washington had struck Iranian targets in a continuing campaign to limit Iran’s capacity to menace commercial shipping.
“Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed. In response, the US is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” the command said.
Diplomatic Talks Continue
The recent hostilities came a day after foreign ministers from Iran and Oman met to discuss the security of the strait, following days of attacks on ships and US reprisals that have strained an interim understanding aimed at preventing such confrontations.
