Cargo ship attacked off Oman coast, 13 Indian sailors rescued, 1 missing
Indian embassy in Oman coordinating with local authorities as search continues for the missing sailor
Thirteen of the 14 Indian crew members aboard the commercial vessel MT El Gaia were rescued after the ship came under attack off the coast of Oman today (13 September), while a search is under way for the missing sailor, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The Indian embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation, the ministry said in a statement.
"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 14 Indian crew onboard, 13 Indians have been rescued so far," the MEA said.
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The ministry thanked the Omani authorities for their assistance in rescuing the sailors.
India also called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region and urged all sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace.
"The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable," the MEA said, calling for the restoration of free and safe navigation and the flow of commerce through international waterways in the region as soon as possible.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and growing risks to commercial shipping in the region.
