NEW DELHI: A Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with all crew members reported safe, Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said.The vessel, M/T Al Dasma, was hit on October 21, amid the ongoing Middle East tensions.The minister said in a post on X that the authorities were monitoring the situation and were in contact with the ship management company to ensure the safety of the crew."On Oct 21, Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker M/T AL DASMA, carrying 21 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. All 21 of our Indian crew members, along with the rest of the crew are completely safe," Sonowal said.
"We are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with the ship management company to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of our seafarers," he added.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) tracked the incident at a location 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman.According to Times Kuwait, the strike triggered a fire aboard the tanker, which was subsequently extinguished.
The vessel remained stationary following the incident, and all crew members were reported safe.
Another tanker incident in Strait of Hormuz
The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks and security incidents involving commercial shipping in the Gulf region.Earlier, on October 16, crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Sonowal had said that all Indian nationals aboard the vessel were safe and no casualties had been reported.In a separate incident on October 14, chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage off Romania. Sonowal had said that all 24 Indian nationals aboard the two vessels involved in the incidents were safe, with no casualties or injuries.Other incidents have also raised concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region.The ministry of external affairs (MEA) had earlier condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11.The ministry had referred to tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, which was reportedly struck by a drone at Sohar Anchorage.Nine crew members were rescued, while two remained missing. Another vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged MT VALTHERA, was struck by an unidentified projectile, causing a fire on board.
All 11 Indian seafarers aboard that vessel were reported safe.
India reiterates call for safe maritime passage
India has repeatedly expressed concern over attacks on commercial vessels and merchant mariners amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.New Delhi has described attacks on commercial shipping as "legally and morally indefensible" and emphasised the need to protect seafarers and uphold freedom of navigation.The MEA has also called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure, while stressing the importance of ensuring the "safe and unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways".The government has said it remains in contact with ship management companies to monitor incidents involving Indian seafarers and ensure their security and well-being.