Five Indian nationals aboard a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker were safely evacuated after the vessel was struck by a projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Embassy in Oman said.
The Embassy coordinated the rescue of the crew members from MT Kazimah III, with all five Indians subsequently brought ashore safely. It also thanked Omani authorities for their support during the operation.
What happened to MT Kazimah III?
The MT Kazimah III is a crude oil tanker operating under the Kuwaiti flag. At the time of the incident, the vessel was travelling towards the port of Lome in Togo. The tanker was hit by a projectile while in the Strait of Hormuz, after which the five Indian nationals aboard were moved ashore.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns affecting commercial shipping in the region.
Over 4,500 Indian seafarers in the region
India is closely monitoring the safety of its nationals working on commercial vessels across the Persian Gulf. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently working aboard commercial vessels operating in the region.
Of these, around 163 Indian seafarers are aboard 12 active cargo ships, including six India-flagged vessels and six foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo to India. Jaiswal said the Ministry of Shipping, along with Indian diplomatic missions and local authorities, is monitoring vessel movements and the safety of Indian seafarers.
India monitoring safety of seafarers
The latest rescue is part of India’s broader efforts to protect its seafaring community amid increasing risks along major maritime routes. Commercial shipping has faced security threats in several regions, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently raised concerns over attacks targeting commercial vessels and seafarers, saying the safety of civilian crews and international shipping routes must be protected.
India has also joined Liberia and 23 other countries in an international coalition focused on supporting the security of commercial shipping routes. Jaishankar has called for restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf to protect seafarers and maintain the flow of energy supplies and international trade.
