All 24 Indian seafarers aboard two vessels involved in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and Romania are safe, with no casualties or injuries reported, India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
In a social media update, the minister said authorities were monitoring both incidents and remained in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Indian crew members.
Tanker carrying 15 Indians hit in Hormuz
Crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16, Sonowal said.
All crew members were reported safe, with no injuries or casualties.
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ⚠️
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 16, 2026
On Oct 16, crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz; additionally, an incident on Oct 14 involved chemical tanker YARA J, carrying 9 Indian seafarers, hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage,…
Drone hits chemical tanker off Romania
In a separate incident on October 14, chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania.
All nine Indian nationals aboard the vessel were safe, the minister said.
India monitoring both incidents
Sonowal said the authorities were closely monitoring the situations and maintaining contact with the ship management companies to safeguard the crew members.
The incidents come amid security concerns affecting maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz and other shipping routes.