Two Indian Sailors Missing After Drone Attack on Tanker Off Oman Coast
Two Indian seafarers are missing and nine others have been rescued following a drone attack on a commercial oil tanker off the coast of Oman. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the tanker MT Petro Dolphin, which was carrying 11 Indian crew members, was struck while anchored near the northern port of Sohar, according to Asian News International.
Local Coast Guard units have launched active search-and-rescue operations to locate the missing crew. The Indian government is coordinating with relevant regional authorities to support recovery efforts and ensure the safety of all personnel involved.
Wider Regional Maritime Security Concerns
The incident highlights escalating dangers facing commercial shipping lanes across the Middle East. Shipping minister Sonowal also disclosed that a second vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera carrying another 11 Indian crew members, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on the same day. Although that strike triggered a fire on board, all Indian crew members from the MT Valthera were reported safe.
These events coincide with a broader surge in regional hostilities. In a separate attack on Saturday, 11 Indian nationals sustained injuries when an airport in Riyadh came under strike, resulting in one fatality confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, according to Asian News International.
Official Response and Diplomatic Stance
New Delhi strongly condemned the recurring maritime strikes. In official statements, the government emphasized that the safety of Indian seafarers remains a top national priority while warning that ongoing attacks on commercial shipping risk severe escalation in an already volatile geopolitical climate.
India reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation, adherence to international law, and the preservation of freedom of navigation and unimpeded maritime commerce through vital international waterways. With India supplying more than 320,000 active seafarers to the global merchant shipping sector, recurring regional conflicts continue to pose direct risks to its maritime workforce.
What authorities must establish after the tanker strike
The first priority is locating missing crew members, and the absence of contact should not be presented as confirmation of fatalities. Maritime investigations will need to establish the vessel's position, ownership and flag, cargo status, damage, whether a drone or another weapon struck it and the evidence identifying the attacker. For seafarers' families, verified statements from the operator, flag state and maritime-rescue authorities matter more than speculation circulating online. An incident off Oman also has wider shipping implications: operators may review routing, war-risk insurance, port calls and crew-safety procedures, although the effect on freight rates depends on sustained risk rather than one isolated report.