Indian seafarers safe after tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz and another off Romania (representative image)
NEW DELHI: Two vessels carrying a total of 24 Indian seafarers were struck in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and off Romania, Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday, adding that all crew members were safe and no casualties or injuries had been reported.In a post on X on Friday night, Sonowal said crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. In a separate incident on October 14, chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage, Romania.“Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries,” the minister said.
He added that the government was monitoring both situations and remaining in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the security and well-being of the crew members.
India has raised concerns over attacks on commercial vessels
The latest incidents come amid repeated attacks on commercial shipping involving Indian seafarers in the Middle East and the Black Sea region.The ministry of external affairs (MEA) had earlier condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, describing the recurring incidents as deeply concerning and warning that they risked aggravating an already volatile situation.
The ministry said tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, had reportedly been struck by a drone at Sohar Anchorage. Nine crew members were rescued, while two remained missing.Another vessel, MT VALTHERA, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was struck by an unidentified projectile, causing a fire on board. All 11 Indian seafarers on the vessel were reported safe, the MEA said.The ministry reiterated that the safety and security of Indian seafarers remained a priority for the government and called for immediate de-escalation and a resolution to the conflict between the United States and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.It also called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure, stressing the need to uphold freedom of navigation and the safe, unimpeded movement of maritime commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law.
India also concerned over attacks in the Black Sea
India has also raised concerns over attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. In a separate development the previous week, the MEA condemned further strikes on commercial vessels and called for an immediate cessation of violence in the interest of peace and stability.The ministry had also referred to external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s remarks that India remained in contact with Russia and Ukraine over its proposal for safe shipping in the Black Sea and “non-attack possibilities”, while addressing concerns raised by both sides over grain and energy exports.