Five Indian seafarers were rescued after a Kuwait-flagged oil tanker was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, amid escalating security concerns in West Asian waters.
According to the Indian Embassy in Oman, the five Indian nationals onboard MT Kazimah III were safely brought ashore following a coordinated rescue operation.
The Kuwait-flagged tanker was reportedly en route to the Port of Lomé in Togo when it came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Oman said:
“Earlier today, the Mission coordinated the rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All five Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely. We thank the Omani authorities for their continued support and assistance.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also expressed appreciation for the support extended by Omani authorities during the rescue effort.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks and security threats affecting commercial shipping in the region. Several merchant vessels, including oil tankers, have either been directly targeted or caught in crossfire amid ongoing regional tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains particularly vulnerable due to its strategic importance as a key global energy transit route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass.
The development comes as India continues to closely monitor the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers serving aboard commercial vessels operating across the Persian Gulf.
Last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said more than 4,500 Indian seafarers were currently deployed on commercial vessels operating in the area.
“At this point, we have six India-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. We also have six foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo to India. On these 12 ships, around 163 Indian seafarers are on board,” Jaiswal told reporters during a weekly media briefing.
“Apart from this, we also have over 4,500 Indian seafarers serving on various commercial vessels operating in the region,” he added.
Jaiswal said the Ministry of Shipping, in coordination with Indian missions abroad and other stakeholders, was continuously monitoring vessel movements and the well-being of Indian crew members.
“Our Ministry of Shipping continues to monitor the movement of these ships and the welfare of the seafarers on board. Through our embassies and local stakeholders, necessary assistance is provided whenever required,” he said.
He reiterated that the Government of India remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working overseas.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of growing security challenges across major global maritime corridors, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea, where commercial shipping has faced repeated attacks in recent years.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the United Nations General Assembly last week, voiced concern over attacks on merchant shipping and seafarers.
“There have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as have others from other nations. This is completely unacceptable,” Jaishankar said.
He also noted that India had joined Liberia and 23 partner countries in a coalition aimed at mobilising international support for the protection of commercial shipping routes.
“We must ensure that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Scrupulous adherence to international law is an integral part of that effort,” he said.
Jaishankar further called for restraint and de-escalation across the Gulf region to safeguard civilian maritime crews, ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, and maintain the stability of global trade routes.
