Muscat: One More Indian seafarer lost his life after the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao came under attack while on its way to India from the port of Khor al Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The death takes the confirmed toll of Indian seafarers killed in the Gulf over the last six months to 11. One Indian mariner is missing and presumed dead.
The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed the death on Wednesday and said it was closely monitoring the situation and was coordinating with Omani authorities over the safety of all crew members aboard the vessel, including the remaining 19 Indian nationals.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one Indian national in this attack. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” the Embassy of India in Muscat said in a post on X.
It was coordinating with the RPSL and was in touch with the family of the deceased, the mission said.
The MV Cape Dao, a 170,089 DWT freighter, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, had sailed from Kandla in Gujarat and reached Khor al Fakkan earlier this month. It was on its way back when it was reportedly hit by two torpedos, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said in a post on X.
The union has identified the deceased as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh.
“Another Indian seafarer killed,” the union said, adding that Yadav died after MV Cape Dao was attacked while sailing towards India. The FSUI said there were 28 crew members on board the vessel, including 20 Indians.
According to the FSUI, the vessel was hit by two torpedoes, with one striking the port side of the C-deck accommodation area and another hitting the port side hull near the engine room.
The union said the attack had put civilian seafarers at risk in and around the Strait of Hormuz and called for immediate accountability, safe passage and justice for Yadav and other Indian seafarers still at risk.
“Assurances mean nothing. Innocent civilian seafarers are being slaughtered in and around Hormuz,” the FSUI said.
A video released by the union shows dense smoke emerging from the vessel, even as security personnel on a boat watch. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet.
