New Delhi: An Indian seafarer was killed after the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao came under attack off Oman on Wednesday while sailing towards India. Of the 20 Indian seafarers aboard, 19 were rescued, as New Delhi condemned the incident and called for an end to attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region.
The Indian embassy in Oman is coordinating with Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the surviving Indian crew and remains in contact with the family of the deceased. India also thanked the Omani authorities for their assistance.
The Ministry of External Affairs described the continuing incidents involving commercial shipping in the region as deeply worrisome. It reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable an early return of peace, while calling for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways to be restored at the earliest.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel’s company security officer reported that a cargo ship had been struck by an “unknown projectile” at about 0630 UTC in the Strait of Hormuz. The ship caught fire and was left adrift after the crew was evacuated, with two casualties reported. UKMTO did not identify the attacker or the weapon involved.
Omani authorities said a Royal Navy of Oman vessel evacuated 27 crew members after Cape Dao was targeted about 25 nautical miles off Musandam Governorate. The incident caused a fire in the engine room and killed one crew member.
Cape Dao, IMO Number 9219020, is an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier built in 2002. VesselFinder lists the ship as 289 metres long with a deadweight of about 170,000 tonnes.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has claimed that the vessel was struck twice on its port side, including near the accommodation area and engine room, and described the weapons as torpedoes. That account has not been confirmed by UKMTO or Omani authorities, and responsibility for the attack remains unclear.
The incident comes amid sustained threats to merchant shipping around the Strait of Hormuz. The International Maritime Organization said on September 16 that it had verified 80 attacks on international shipping in and around the strait since February 28, killing at least 22 seafarers and injuring many others.