An Indian seafarer hailing from Gujarat was killed after an Indian-flagged commercial vessel carrying 14 Indian nationals was hit by an unidentified aerial object off the coast of Oman on November 2, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed. Thirteen other crew members aboard the vessel were safely evacuated and rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
The deceased sailor has been identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, who succumbed to fatal injuries sustained during the strike on the Indian-flagged vessel MSV AL JUSUFI while it was navigating near the Omani coastline.
Confirming the casualty, Minister Sonowal stated that all 14 crew members on board were Indian nationals. While 13 sailors managed to evacuate the damaged vessel and were subsequently rescued by Omani authorities, Ajij passed away due to severe injuries.
Expressing deep condolences to the bereaved family, the minister assured that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, alongside the Indian Embassy in Muscat, is coordinating with local Omani authorities to provide immediate medical and administrative assistance to the survivors, as well as facilitate the swift repatriation of the rescued crew and the mortal remains of the deceased sailor. New Delhi issued a strong condemnation following the attack on the commercial vessel near Limah, Oman.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted: “We condemn the attack on a commercial vessel MSV AL JUSUFI, near Limah, Oman yesterday evening.” The ministry corroborated that 13 of the 14 Indian nationals on board were safely rescued, while one crew member tragically succumbed to injuries.
The Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the operational response and maintaining active contact with Omani authorities to ensure the expedited repatriation of the 13 surviving seafarers and the remains of Ajij. Highlighting deep concerns over continuing strikes on commercial shipping in sensitive maritime corridors, the MEA called for an immediate de-escalation of regional tensions and urged negotiating parties to commit to diplomatic resolutions to restore peace.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com