All 24 Indian seafarers aboard two vessels involved in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and Romania have been confirmed safe, according to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. The crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian crew members, was reportedly struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. Meanwhile, the chemical tanker YARA J, with nine Indian seafarers on board, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania on October 14.

Sonowal expressed relief in a post on X, stating, “Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries.” He emphasised that the government is actively monitoring both situations and coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of the crew members.

The incidents have raised concerns regarding maritime safety in the region, particularly given the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to the safety of its seafarers, especially in light of recent attacks on commercial vessels.

Government Response and International Concerns

Earlier, on October 14, India condemned the attacks on maritime navigation and commercial shipping, labelling such strikes as “legally and morally indefensible.” During a quarterly open debate at the United Nations Security Council regarding the Middle East situation, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities and urged all parties to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

India has stressed the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and ensuring the safe flow of maritime commerce through international waterways, in accordance with international law. The envoy highlighted that the safety and security of seafarers is a priority for the Indian government, noting that recurring attacks pose a risk to an already volatile situation.

In a related context, on October 11, Minister Sonowal reported that two Indian nationals remain missing following a drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage. The vessel was carrying 11 Indian seafarers, of whom nine have been rescued. Search-and-rescue operations are currently underway, with Indian authorities coordinating with local agencies to locate the missing crew members.

Recent Maritime Incidents and Safety Measures

On the same day as the attack on MT Petro Dolphin, Sonowal confirmed that all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera were safe after the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a fire onboard. The minister assured that the situation is being closely monitored and that the ship management company is in contact regarding the crew’s safety.

Additionally, on October 9, the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2, carrying 22 Indian nationals, was subjected to a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage. Sonowal confirmed that all crew members aboard this vessel are safe as well. These incidents highlight the increasing frequency of attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region, raising significant concerns over maritime safety and the security of seafarers operating in these waters.

The government continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard the lives and wellbeing of Indian seafarers in the region. The Embassy of India in Oman is also actively involved in overseeing developments and maintaining communication with relevant authorities to support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure the safety of Indian nationals at sea.

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