Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel off Oman coast
Thirteen crew members were rescued after an unidentified aerial object hit the MSV Al Jusufi near Limah.
An Indian sailor was killed on Monday when an unidentified aerial object hit the India-flagged cargo ship MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, Oman, according to reports by The Pioneer and Rediff.
The vessel was carrying 14 Indian nationals at the time of the attack. The Omani Coast Guard rescued 13 crew members, while the deceased sailor was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a resident of Gujarat.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack on the commercial vessel and called for the immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia. The ministry stated that the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end to restore free navigation through international waterways.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Indian Embassy in Oman are working with local authorities to assist survivors and repatriate the mortal remains of the deceased.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that 23 Indian nationals have been killed in the West Asia conflict so far, including 15 seafarers. The Indian embassy is monitoring the situation to coordinate the early repatriation of the rescued crew members.