Indian sailor killed in attack on ship MV Cape Dao near Oman, 18 others among crew

One Indian national was killed after the vessel MV Cape Dao came under attack while transiting towards India, the Indian Embassy in Oman said on Wednesday. The embassy said it was closely monitoring the situation and was coordinating with Omani authorities over the safety of all crew members aboard the vessel, including 19 Indian nationals.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one Indian national in this attack. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” the Embassy of India in Muscat said in a post on X. The mission said it was coordinating with the RPSL and was in touch with the family of the deceased.

The attack took place as the vessel was transiting towards India, with the embassy continuing to monitor the situation and coordinate with the Omani authorities regarding the crew's safety.

India on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack and said 19 Indian seafarers had been rescued, including the deceased's 18 fellow Indian crew members.

INDIA CONDEMNS ATTACK ON COMMERCIAL VESSEL

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Oman was coordinating with Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the rescued Indian seafarers.

New Delhi also thanked the Omani authorities for their support and conveyed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. “The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome,” the MEA said, reiterating India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and facilitate an early return of peace to the region.

The ministry stressed that attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must end. It also called for the earliest restoration of free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region.

SEAFARERS' UNION IDENTIFIES DECEASED

The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), in a post on X, identified the deceased as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh.

“Another Indian seafarer killed,” the union said, adding that Yadav died after MV Cape Dao was attacked while sailing towards India.

The FSUI said there were 28 crew members on board the vessel, including 20 Indians. This figure differs from the 19 Indian nationals cited by the Indian Embassy.

TWO TORPEDOES HIT VESSEL

According to the FSUI, the vessel was hit by two torpedoes, with one striking the port side of the C-deck accommodation area and another hitting the port side hull near the engine room.

The union said the attack had put civilian seafarers at risk in and around the Strait of Hormuz and called for immediate accountability, safe passage and justice for Yadav and other Indian seafarers still at risk. “Assurances mean nothing. Innocent civilian seafarers are being slaughtered in and around Hormuz,” the FSUI said.