All 24 Indian seafarers are safe after two tankers came under attack in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and Romania in recent days, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday. A crude oil tanker carrying 15 Indian seafarers was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. In a separate incident on October 14, a chemical tanker carrying nine Indian seafarers was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania, the minister said in a post on X. "Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries," Sonowal said.
Crude oil tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz
According to the minister, the crude oil tanker MT ST 3, which was carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16.
The incident raised concerns over the safety of Indian crew members operating in the strategically important waterway, a key route for global oil shipments.
Chemical tanker Yara J hit by drone in Romania
In another incident, the chemical tanker Yara J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania on October 14, Sonowal said.
The two incidents involved a total of 24 Indian nationals, all of whom were reported safe, with no injuries or casualties.
The minister's statement confirmed that no Indian seafarers were harmed in either incident.
Inputs from agencies