24 Indian Seafarers Safe After Tanker Attacks in Strait of Hormuz and Romania

October 17, 2026

New Delhi: All 24 Indian seafarers aboard two vessels involved in separate attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and off the coast of Romania are safe, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said.

The incidents involved a crude oil tanker carrying 15 Indian crew members and a chemical tanker with nine Indian seafarers on board. No injuries or casualties were reported in either incident.

According to Sonowal, crude oil tanker MT ST 3 was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 16. In a separate incident on October 14, chemical tanker YARA J was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania.

In a post on X, the minister confirmed that all 24 Indian nationals aboard the two vessels were safe.

“Thankfully, all 24 Indian nationals across both vessels are completely safe with no casualties or injuries,” he said.

Government Monitoring Both Incidents

Sonowal said the government was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with the ship management companies to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the Indian crew members.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the security of commercial shipping and the safety of Indian seafarers operating in waters affected by regional tensions.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important maritime passage for global energy supplies, making attacks on vessels in the area a concern for shipping operations and international trade.

India Condemns Attacks on Commercial Shipping

India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial vessels and called for measures to protect seafarers and maintain the safe movement of maritime traffic.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council’s quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy.

India also stressed that attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must stop. It reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation and the safe, uninterrupted movement of maritime commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law.

The government has maintained that the safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority, particularly as repeated incidents involving commercial vessels raise concerns about maritime security.

Earlier Attacks Raise Further Safety Concerns

The latest incidents come amid a series of attacks involving vessels carrying Indian crew members in the wider Gulf region.

On October 11, the tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone at Sohar Anchorage in Oman. Of the 11 Indian seafarers on board, nine were rescued and two were reported missing, according to an earlier update from Sonowal. Search-and-rescue efforts were underway at the time of that report.

On the same date, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on board. All 11 Indian seafarers aboard that vessel were reported safe.

On October 9, another incident involving the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM No. 2 was reported at Sharjah Anchorage. The vessel was carrying 22 Indian nationals, all of whom were reported safe.

The recurring incidents have heightened concerns over the security of commercial shipping routes and the risks faced by Indian seafarers working in the region. Indian authorities continue to monitor developments and coordinate with relevant agencies and ship management companies.