A 26-year-old seafarer from Gujarat was killed after an Indian-flagged cargo vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman, taking the total number of citizens killed since the start of the West Asia conflict in February to 23.
Thirteen more Indian seafarers on board the dhow MSV Al Jusufi were rescued by Oman’s Coast Guard. The attack came against the backdrop of New Delhi’s repeated calls for an end to the targeting of civilians and merchant vessels in West Asia.
Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the death of seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij of Gujarat and said Al Jusufi was “struck by an unidentified aerial object” while navigating the coast of Oman on Monday at 4pm.
“While 13 crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, I am deeply saddened to report that one of our seafarers, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, tragically succumbed to his injuries,” Sonowal said on X.
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack near Limah in Oman and conveyed its “condolences on the precious life lost”.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply concerning. 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,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian 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,” the statement added.
A report prepared by the directorate of Maritime Administration said all 14 crew members abandoned the vessel in a liferaft after it was struck by the projectile. Ajij was being taken to a hospital at Khasab Port in Oman when he died. The deceased was a resident of Salaya, Devbhumi Dwarka in Gujarat, it added.
The report also said the vessel had departed from Hamriyah Port in UAE on October 31 at 10.11am for Porbandar in Gujarat.
The Indian embassy in Oman is coordinating with Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the rescued Indian nationals and the body of the dead seafarer.
Fifteen seafarers are among the 23 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict, which was triggered by attacks on Iran by the US and Israel in February. Several Indian seafarers have also been listed as missing after attacks on commercial vessels.
India has a total of more than 320,000 seafarers – the second highest in the world after the Philippines – and more than 18,000 are on vessels in West Asia.
Bureau Report
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