Nine Indian crew rescued, two missing after tanker hit off Oman

• Two Indian sailors missing after drone attack on tanker off Oman
• Nine of 11 Indian crew on MT Petro Dolphin rescued
• All Indian crew safe after second tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz
• India has more than 320,000 active seafarers

TWO Indian sailors are missing after a tanker was hit in a drone attack off the coast of Oman on Sunday, India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

The MT Petro Dolphin, which had 11 Indian seafarers on board, was attacked at the anchorage of Sohar port in northern Oman.

“While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing,” Sonowal said on X.

He said local authorities were carrying out search and rescue operations.

23 Indian Crew Rescued After Black Sea Oil Tanker Attack

“We are continuously coordinating with all relevant authorities to fully support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure every possible action is taken to safely locate our missing personnel,” he said.

Second tanker hit

Sonowal said a second vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The attack started a fire, but all 11 Indian crew on board were reported safe.

Indian seafarers at risk

India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of merchant sailors, with more than 320,000 active seafarers in 2025, according to the shipping ministry.

Several Indian mariners have been killed in attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

Asian seafarers fear return to Gulf

On Tuesday, India’s foreign ministry condemned an attack on a Panama-flagged vessel that was struck by a projectile off Oman while passing through the strait.

“Continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region remain a cause of deep concern,” the ministry said.

“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region.”

(With inputs from agencies)