Eleven Indian crew members were injured Tuesday (6) after a Panama-flagged commercial vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting India to strongly condemn the attack.
The vessel, MT On Peace, was carrying 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals, when it was struck while sailing off the coast of Oman, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
A total of 12 crew members were injured in the incident, including 11 Indian nationals, the ministry said.
“We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry said the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region are a “cause of deep concern” for India, particularly because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical international waterway for global commerce and energy shipments.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region,” the MEA said.
India also called for an end to attacks targeting commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure.
“The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest,” the ministry added.
The injured crew members were evacuated with assistance from Omani authorities and taken to Khasab, Oman, for medical treatment.
“With the assistance of Omani authorities, the injured crew have since been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. We thank the Omani authorities for their valuable support,” the MEA said.
The incident adds to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
For India, the incident has a direct human impact, with 17 of the vessel’s 19 crew members identified as Indian nationals and 11 Indians among those injured.
The Indian government has called for an immediate halt to attacks on commercial shipping and the restoration of safe navigation through international waterways as regional security concerns continue to affect maritime traffic.
