An oil product tanker, flagged to Kuwait and carrying 21 Indian crew members, was hit by an unknown projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with all crew members reported safe, India’s shipping minister said Thursday.
The vessel struck on Wednesday, Oct. 21, comes at a time of increased security fears over commercial shipping through the vital waterway.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also informed about the incident in an X post that all 21 Indian sailors, along with the rest of the crew members, are safe.
“We are keeping a vigil on the developments and have also been in touch with the ship management company in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew,” Sonowal said.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) recorded that the attack occurred approximately 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman. It was still too early to determine where the projectile had been fired from or how badly the tanker had been damaged.
The incident comes after a commercial tanker was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 16, leaving one vessel with 15 Indian crew members. Reportedly, all Indian crew members are safe.
India has time and again underlined the need to safeguard merchant ships and seafarers while highlighting the necessity to ensure freedom of navigation and unhindered flow of maritime trade through global straits.
