One Indian seafarer missing after attack on tanker off Oman; 13 rescued

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 14, 2026: One Indian seafarer is missing while 13 others were rescued after the commercial vessel MT El Gaia was attacked off the coast of Oman, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a BRICS Seafarers Emergency Support Network to assist mariners caught in maritime emergencies.

The Panama-flagged oil products tanker was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel had been struck by an unidentified munition.

The missing seafarer has been identified as Sumit Kumar Singh from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. His brother, Vivek Kumar Singh, appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on X for intervention and assistance in the rescue operation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack and said that 13 of the 14 Indian crew members had been rescued.

“Search and rescue operations for the missing Indian national are continuing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities,” the MEA said.

India reiterated its call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and urged all sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the region.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said targeting commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure was unacceptable. He also called for the restoration of free and safe navigation and the uninterrupted flow of commerce through international waterways in the region.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers caught in attacks on commercial vessels. At least 13 Indian seafarers have been killed and four have gone missing in attacks on vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea since January, amid the Iran-Israel-US and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Ten of the deaths were reported in the two months preceding the latest incident.

“Global trade can move forward only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe,” Modi said ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Friday, reaffirming India’s support for freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers.

Hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on Sunday, Modi proposed the establishment of a BRICS Seafarers Emergency Support Network.

Meanwhile, BRICS members on Saturday called for “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation of the West Asia conflict, expressed concern over attacks on nuclear facilities and urged respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, without assigning blame to any particular party.