Five Indians rescued after Kuwait-flagged tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz
Indian embassy in Oman says all five seafarers were brought ashore safely after MT Kazimah III was struck while transiting the strategic waterway
Five Indian nationals were rescued after the Kuwait-flagged tanker they were travelling on was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian embassy in Oman said on Friday (October 2).
The five Indians were aboard MT Kazimah III when the crude oil tanker came under attack while passing through the strategic waterway. Omani authorities assisted in the rescue, and all five were later brought ashore safely.
What Indian Embassy said
“Earlier today, the Mission coordinated rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All 5 Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely,” stated the embassy in a post on X.
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The tanker was sailing towards Lome in Togo, according to shipping data available online.
The incident comes as Indian authorities keep a close watch on the safety of Indian seafarers working on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. Ships operating in the Red Sea and Black Sea have also faced attacks in recent months.
Over 4,500 Indian seafarers in region
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday (September 29) that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers were working aboard commercial vessels in the region. Of these, 163 were on 12 active cargo ships.
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“At this point, we have six India-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. We also have six foreign-flagged vessels which are carrying cargo to India. So 12 ships are there. On these ships, we have around 163 Indian seafarers who are on board,” he said during a media briefing as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Jaiswal said the larger number of Indian seafarers were working on other commercial vessels operating in the area.
“Apart from this, we also have over 4,500 Indian seafarers who are on board various commercial vessels which are operating in the area,” he added.
India tracks safety of seafarers
He said the shipping ministry was coordinating with Indian diplomatic missions and local authorities to keep track of vessels and the safety of Indian seafarers.
Also Read: Iran attacked 3 ships with Indians, alleges Trump
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also raised the issue of attacks on commercial ships and their crews during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly last week.
“New challenges in the maritime domain have added to longstanding ones on land. There have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as have others from other nations. This is completely unacceptable,” he told the UN assembly.