India Condemns Attack on Commercial Vessel off Oman; 11 Indians Injured
New Delhi — India on Tuesday condemned an attack on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace off the coast of Oman after it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, injuring 12 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals.
The Ministry of External Affairs said 17 of the vessel’s 19 crew members are Indian nationals.
“We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals,” the ministry said in a statement.
The injured crew members were evacuated with assistance from Omani authorities and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman, the ministry said.
“We thank the Omani authorities for their valuable support,” the statement added.
India said the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region were a cause of deep concern and called for an immediate halt to such incidents in the interest of regional peace and stability.
“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 said.
The latest incident follows another attack in the Strait of Hormuz on October 3, when five Indian nationals aboard the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III were rescued after the vessel was struck by a projectile.
“Rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III. We remain committed to the safety, security and welfare of our seafarers abroad,” the ministry said on X.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said it coordinated the rescue and that all five Indian nationals were brought safely ashore with assistance from Omani authorities.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, carrying major oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers to global markets. (Source: IANS)
