A sailor from Gujarat has died after an India-flagged cargo vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman on Monday. According to Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the ship was carrying 14 Indian crew members and was hit by an unidentified aerial object while sailing near the Omani coast.
Key points
- The India-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck near the Oman coast on Monday.
- Thirteen of the 14 Indian crew members were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
- The sailor who died was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat.
- The government is coordinating with Omani authorities to bring the survivors and the mortal remains home.
What happened to the vessel
The ship, identified as MSV Al Jusufi, was hit on Monday by an object that has not been identified. Thirteen crew members were able to leave the vessel and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard. One sailor, named as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, died in the attack.
Mr Sonowal expressed grief in a post on X and offered condolences to the sailor's family. He said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Indian Embassy in Oman are working with local authorities to help the survivors and arrange their return to India. The government is also working to bring back the body of the deceased sailor.
Growing risk for shipping in the Gulf
The attack comes at a time when tensions in the Gulf region have raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping. According to Oneindia, several vessels have been targeted by missile and drone attacks during the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
Indian seafarers have been badly affected. Government figures released last week show that at least 22 Indian nationals have died since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February this year. Fourteen of them were seafarers.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the main flashpoints in the conflict, placing commercial ships and their crews at risk. After the deaths of Indian sailors, the government banned the deployment of Indian citizens on ships passing through this strategic waterway.
India has repeatedly raised concerns over attacks on commercial vessels. It has called for the safety of seafarers and for uninterrupted navigation through international waters. For families of sailors, especially in coastal communities, the incident is another reminder of the dangers faced by those working on ships in the region.
The source report does not say who carried out the attack on MSV Al Jusufi. Further details are expected as the Indian authorities and Omani officials continue their coordination.
