MEA condemns attack on ship off Oman coast; 11 Indians rescued, 1 missing

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attack on merchant vessel GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Sunday (July 12), in which one Indian seafarer is reported missing.

Of the 11 Indians onboard the vessel, 10 have been rescued.

Search on for missing Indian

In a statement, the MEA also thanked Omani authorities for their support in the rescue and search operations.

Also read: US-Iran conflict escalates as Gulf nations go on high alert after fresh strikes

“We condemn the attack on merchant vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while 1 Indian National is reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation. We thank the Omani authorities for their support,” the MEA said in a statement released by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

‘Struck by warning shot,’ says Iran

The Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by Iran in what the latter called a course-correction move for taking an unapproved route. US Central Command said the vessel suffered “significant engineroom damage” in the attack.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, overseen by the British military, said the ship had been travelling on a route hugging the shoreline of Oman.

Also read: Publicly guarantee safe passage for ships through Strait of Hormuz: US tells Iran

That's been the way ships have entered and exited the Persian Gulf while avoiding Iranian territorial waters. The ship's crew abandoned the vessel as it was ablaze, the centre said.

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said multiple vessels “disregarded our warnings and instructions to correct their course and proceed along the approved route”. One of them “was struck by a warning shot and brought to a stop”.

MEA demands immediate de-escalation

The attack comes amid an escalation in tensions in the Strait of Hormuz days after the US and Iran decided to work towards a peace deal. While the US has begun a fresh round of strikes on Iran, the latter has shut down the strait.

In its statement, the MEA also raised concerns over incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions.

Also read: Tanker catches fire after projectile attack in Strait of Hormuz; Iran blamed

“We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” it said.

“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” it added.

US, Iran trade strikes

Iran has said that the strait would remain closed “until further notice” and that it would consider targeting “additional enemy bases in the region” if it faced more attacks.

Also read: Trump threatens harsher Iran strikes as Strait of Hormuz traffic grinds to near halt

The United States attacked Iran early on Sunday morning over the strike on the Cyprus-flagged ship.

Iran has reportedly responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.