Five Indian seafarers were safely rescued after a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Indian embassy in Oman. The MT Kazimah III, en route to the port of Lomé in Togo, was hit while sailing through the strategic waterway. The embassy coordinated the rescue operation, which saw all five Indian nationals brought ashore safely. The Omani authorities provided support during the operation, the embassy stated in a post on X.

The incident underscores the escalating security risks faced by commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and other key shipping routes. India has been intensifying efforts to monitor the safety of its seafarers, with over 4,500 Indian nationals currently working on commercial vessels in the region. Of these, 163 are on 12 active cargo ships, including six India-flagged vessels and six foreign-flagged ships carrying cargo to India. The ministry of shipping is working with Indian diplomatic missions and local stakeholders to track vessel movements and ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar raised concerns over attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He highlighted the unacceptable nature of such attacks, which have led to the loss of lives, including Indian seafarers. Jaishankar noted that India has joined Liberia and 23 other nations in an international coalition to protect commercial shipping routes and uphold international law. The minister called for immediate restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf to safeguard civilian crews and ensure the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies and global trade.

The MT Kazimah III, a Kuwait-flagged tanker, was struck by a projectile while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. The incident has raised questions about the security of maritime routes and the effectiveness of current measures to protect commercial shipping. While the Indian embassy confirmed the safe rescue of the seafarers, the exact nature of the projectile and the responsible party remain unclear. The Omani authorities have not commented on the incident beyond their support for the rescue operation.

The next known development will be the release of an official report by the Omani authorities on the incident, expected within the next two weeks. The Indian embassy has not provided further details on the condition of the rescued seafarers or the extent of damage to the vessel. The ministry of shipping continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with diplomatic missions to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region.