Drone Attack Hits Oil Tanker Off Oman: 2 Indian Sailors Missing, 9 Rescued at Sohar Anchorage
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Drone Attack Hits Oil Tanker Off Oman: 2 Indian Sailors Missing, 9 Rescued at Sohar Anchorage
New Delhi: A drone attack targeted the Nicaragua-flagged oil tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage off Oman on Sunday, leaving two Indian seafarers missing and prompting an intensive search-and-rescue operation.Nine other Indian crew members aboard the vessel were successfully rescued and reported safe following swift intervention by local authorities.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident, stating that 11 Indian seafarers were on board when the strikes occurred near the Omani port city of Sohar.Search operations led by the local Coast Guard remain actively underway to trace the two missing personnel.
Embassy Monitoring Operations as Coast Guard Searches Area
The Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation surrounding MT Petro Dolphin and maintaining continuous contact with Omani authorities.
Key developments surrounding the incident:
- Targeted Vessel:MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged crude oil tanker operating in the Gulf of Oman.
- Crew Status: 9 Indian sailors safely evacuated; active search underway for 2 missing crew members.
- Location: Sohar Anchorage, situated near critical shipping lanes close to the Strait of Hormuz.
- Official Response: Shipping Ministry coordinating with regional maritime security agencies to assist rescue efforts.
Rising Maritime Security Risks in Gulf Waters
The attack on MT Petro Dolphin marks the latest in a series of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes impacting commercial shipping across Gulf waters. Just a day earlier, all 22 Indian crew members aboard the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Gem No. 2 were reported safe after a similar drone strike at Sharjah Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates.
The Indian government continues to coordinate with regional maritime security networks and international diplomatic channels to safeguard Indian seafarers navigating high-risk transit zones in the region.
