New Delhi: Eleven Indian seafarers were injured in a fresh attack on a merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, following which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the strike on the Panama-flagged ship.
The ship was carrying 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals.
India has called for an immediate cessation of such targeting to promote peace and stability in the region.
The MEA expressed concern over the continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region, calling it a “cause of deep concern for India.”
The MT On Peace (IMO 9893204), was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman earlier in the day, the MEA said in a statement.
Twelve crew members were injured in the incident, including 11 Indian nationals, the ministry added.
“We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals,” the MEA said in a statement.
The injured crew members were evacuated with assistance from Omani authorities and taken to Khasab for medical treatment. The MEA thanked the Omani authorities for their support in facilitating the evacuation and providing assistance to the affected seafarers, as reported by News18.
“With the assistance of Omani authorities, the injured crew have since been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. We thank the Omani authorities for their valuable support,” the MEA stated.
It also described the repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region as a matter of serious concern for India. It called for an end to attacks targeting commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region,” the statement further said.