DRONE STRIKE AT OMAN’S SOHAR ANCHORAGE LEAVES TWO INDIAN SEAFARERS MISSING AS NINE CREW MEMBERS ARE RESCUED
October 12, 2026
Two Indian seafarers remain missing after a drone attack struck the oil tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage off Oman’s coast on Sunday, October 11. Nine other Indian crew members aboard the vessel have been rescued and are reported safe, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed on Monday.
The tanker was carrying 11 Indian seafarers when it came under attack. The incident prompted an emergency response, with search-and-rescue operations underway to locate the two missing crew members. Authorities have been working to establish their whereabouts while coordinating efforts to support the rescued sailors.
Sonowal said the government was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure that every possible measure was taken to locate the missing personnel. He confirmed that the local Coast Guard was conducting search-and-rescue operations, while Indian officials remained in contact with the authorities concerned.
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers working aboard commercial vessels in waters around Oman and the wider Gulf region. The area is a strategically important corridor for international energy shipments and maritime commerce, making threats to commercial shipping a significant concern for countries dependent on secure sea routes.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat has been coordinating with Omani authorities and the vessel’s management to support the rescue operation and provide assistance to the affected crew. The government has reiterated that the safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority.
The incident comes amid growing risks to commercial vessels operating in the region, where attacks involving drones and unidentified projectiles have raised concerns about maritime security. The circumstances surrounding the latest strike, including responsibility for the attack, have not been fully established in the available information.
For the families of the two missing sailors, the immediate priority is news of their whereabouts. Search operations are continuing as Indian and Omani authorities work to locate the missing crew members and establish the full circumstances of the incident.
The attack underscores the vulnerability of civilian maritime personnel amid rising regional tensions. With nine sailors safely rescued but two still missing, the focus remains on the search effort and on ensuring the safety of Indian crews serving aboard commercial ships in the region.
