Muscat: Five Indian nationals aboard a Kuwait-flagged oil tanker were rescued and brought ashore after the vessel was struck by a projectile while sailing
through the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Embassy in Oman said on Friday.
The Indians were travelling on MT Kazimah III when the tanker came under attack while transiting the Stair of Hormuz. All five were safely taken off the vessel following a rescue operation coordinated by the Indian mission in Oman.
Earlier today, the Mission coordinated rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.
All 5 Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely.
We thank the Omani authorities for their continued…
— India in Oman (Embassy of India, Muscat) (@Indemb_Muscat) October 2, 2026
“Earlier today, the Mission coordinated rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All 5 Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely,” the embassy said.
The mission also thanked Omani authorities for their assistance during the operation.
MT Kazimah III is a crude oil tanker operating under the Kuwaiti flag. Shipping information available online showed the vessel was travelling towards the port of Lome in Togo when the incident occurred.
The attack adds to growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in and around the Gulf, where vessels have faced heightened security risks.
The rescue comes as Indian authorities increase efforts to monitor the safety of Indians working aboard commercial vessels in the region.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this week that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers were working on commercial ships operating in the area.
He said six India-flagged vessels and six foreign-flagged ships carrying cargo to India were currently operating in the Persian Gulf. Together, these 12 vessels had around 163 Indian seafarers aboard.
“At this point, we have six India-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. We also have six foreign-flagged vessels which are carrying cargo to India. So 12 ships are there. On these ships, we have around 163 Indian seafarers who are on board,” Jaiswal said.
“Apart from this, we also have over 4,500 Indian seafarers who are on board various commercial vessels which are operating in the area,” he added.
Jaiswal said the Ministry of Shipping was coordinating with Indian diplomatic missions and local authorities to follow vessel movements and monitor the safety of Indian seafarers.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also raised concerns about attacks on commercial vessels and their crews during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
“New challenges in the maritime domain have added to longstanding ones on land. There have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as have others from other nations. This is completely unacceptable,” Jaishankar said.
He said India had joined Liberia and 23 other partner countries in efforts to build international support for protecting commercial shipping routes.
“We must ensure that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Scrupulously observing international law is an integral element of that endeavour,” he said.
