New Delhi: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday confirmed that every one of the 24 Indian crew members aboard two merchant vessels targeted in recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and off Romania had escaped unharmed, ANI reported.
The minister said crude oil tanker MT ST 3, which had 15 Indians among its crew, came under a projectile strike while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. Four days earlier, on October 14, chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was struck by a drone while anchored at Sulina in Romania.
No Injuries Reported
“Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries,” Sonowal said in a post on X.
He said Indian authorities were tracking developments connected with both attacks and were in regular touch with the companies managing the two ships. “We are continuously monitoring both situations and remain in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of our crew members,” he said.
The incidents have added to concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating through busy shipping lanes and anchorages in West Asia and the Black Sea region, where commercial vessels have increasingly been caught up in escalating regional hostilities.
India’s Stand At UN
Earlier, India had denounced attacks on commercial shipping and maritime navigation as the conflict in the Middle East intensified, describing such strikes as “legally and morally indefensible” and calling for stronger protection for seafarers, including Indian nationals.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council’s quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East on Thursday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, pressed for an immediate reduction in hostilities and urged the parties involved to pursue a settlement through dialogue and diplomacy.
India also emphasised that assaults on merchant vessels, crew members and civilian infrastructure should end immediately. It called for freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted movement of maritime trade through international waterways to be preserved in keeping with international law.
“The safety and security of seafarers remains a priority for Government of India and these recurring attacks risk further aggravation of a very volatile situation,” the envoy said.
Earlier Vessel Attacks
The minister’s latest statement came days after he disclosed that two Indian seafarers were still untraced following a drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage on October 11. The vessel had 11 Indian crew members, of whom nine were rescued and reported safe.
“On Oct 11, tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing. Search-and-rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard. We are continuously coordinating with all relevant authorities to fully support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure every possible action is taken to safely locate our missing personnel,” Sonowal said.
The Embassy of India in Oman said it was closely following developments and remained engaged with the authorities concerned over the search operation.
In another incident on the same day, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, with 11 Indian seafarers aboard, was hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a blaze on board.
“On Oct 11, Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in an onboard fire. Thankfully, all 11 of our Indian crew members are reported to be safe. We are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in contact with the ship management company to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing of our seafarers,” Sonowal said.
The minister had earlier reported that all 22 Indian nationals aboard the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2 were safe after the vessel was targeted in a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9.