Cargo vessel hit off Oman; 1 Indian killed, 13 rescued

• One Indian seafarer died after an attack off the Oman coast
• The MSV Al Jusufi was struck by an unidentified aerial object
• Ministry is working to repatriate the crew and mortal remains

At least one Indian seafarer was killed after an Indian-flagged cargo vessel with a 14-member crew was attacked off the coast of Oman, Union Minister of Shipping,

Sarbananda Sonowal informed on X. The incident comes as the Middle East continues to remain tense amid the ongoing US-Iran war, where cargo vessels have remained a recurring target of the IRGC, Houthis, or through sea mines. Taking to the social media platform, the Union Minister said, "On November 2, the Indian MSV AL JUSUFI, carrying 14 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the coast of Oman. While 13 crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, I am deeply saddened to report that one of our seafarers, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, tragically succumbed to his injuries. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this hour of immense grief."

He further informed that the Ministry and Indian Embassy in Oman are in contact with local authorities to ensure immediate assistance for the 13 survivors and facilitate the swift repatriation of both the surviving crew and mortal remains of our deceased seafarer.

In another development, two oil tankers, including a supertanker, exploded after allegedly striking naval mines while attempting to navigate an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed.

According to Press TV, citing a statement from the IRGC Navy's Public Relations Office, one of the tankers was engulfed in flames following a powerful explosion. The Iranian naval force alleged that both vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems and ignored repeated warnings against using restricted routes.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an attack on a merchant vessel in the strategic waterway. In a warning issued on November 1, UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 1509 UTC.

With inputs from ANI