India Condemns Attack on MT El Gaia Off Oman

On September 13, 2026 a Panama-flagged oil tanker, MT El Gaia, was struck while transiting waters off the Omani coast. The vessel carried 14 Indian seafarers; 13 were rescued by Omani authorities and the Indian Embassy in Muscat, while one crew member remains missing and search-and-rescue operations continue. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement condemning the attack and describing the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure as “unacceptable.”

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The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where recent projectile strikes have ignited concerns over the safety of merchant traffic. Iranian state media reported a separate strike on an Iranian cargo vessel near Qeshm Island, resulting in one death and four injuries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later asserted that Iran would not surrender to external pressure. “Our people can’t be bullied into submission. Iran won’t surrender,” — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian The attack on MT El Gaia came a day before a scheduled meeting of foreign ministers from regional states in Oman to discuss joint efforts by Iran and Oman to manage shipping through the strait.

India condemns attack on merchant vessel off Oman coast, says 13 Indians rescued

Indian nationals constitute more than 12 % of the global merchant-shipping workforce, second only to the Philippines. To date, ten Indian seafarers have been killed in the West-Asia conflict and five have died in strikes on merchant vessels in the Black Sea. The loss of one crew member from MT El Gaia adds to a tally of 16 Indian seafarers killed in West-Asia hostilities.

Hindustan Times

The MEA’s statement reiterated India’s call for immediate de-escalation of regional tensions and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy. It thanked Omani authorities for their assistance in rescuing the crew and affirmed that the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the BRICS summit on the same day, proposed the creation of a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” to provide rapid assistance to mariners facing security risks from regional conflicts. The ministry also called for the restoration of free and safe navigation through international waterways at the earliest possible moment.

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The attack underscores the vulnerability of commercial shipping routes that link the Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the broader Indian Ocean. Disruptions to these corridors can affect global energy supplies and trade flows, while the high proportion of Indian crew members on merchant vessels amplifies the domestic security dimension for New Delhi. India’s diplomatic response seeks to safeguard its seafarers, maintain open maritime channels, and contribute to regional stability through multilateral engagement.

West Asia Crisis: 1 Indian Missing Following Attack On Panama-Flagged Tanker

• “Our people can’t be bullied into submission. Iran won’t surrender,” — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

'Unacceptable': India condemns attack on commercial vessel off Oman, 13 Indians rescued

Regional foreign-ministerial talks in Oman are slated to address shipping management in the Strait of Hormuz. India is expected to continue coordinating with Omani authorities on the ongoing rescue effort and to monitor developments that could impact the safety of its maritime workforce.

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