Two Indian Seafarers Missing After Drone Strike in the Strait of Hormuz – India Condemns the Attacks

On Sunday, the commercial tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by an unmanned aerial device while threading the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz. The sudden blast ripped through the deck, sending shockwaves across the ship and, tragically, claiming the lives of two Indian crew members while two more vanished in the chaos.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal took to social media shortly after the incident. He confirmed that nine of the eleven Indian sailors aboard were rescued unharmed and are now safe, but he urged authorities to keep searching for the two missing seafarers. “Search‑and‑rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard,” Sonowal wrote, adding that the Indian government is in constant touch with all relevant agencies to spare no effort in bringing the missing home.

In a separate but related episode, the tanker MT Valthera suffered a hit from an unidentified projectile that sparked a fire on board. Thankfully, all eleven Indian crew members on that ship emerged unscathed, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The Indian Embassy in Muscat is monitoring both incidents closely, coordinating with Omani authorities and the ship owners to provide whatever assistance is needed. The embassy’s focus, officials said, is two‑fold: locate the missing sailors from the Petro Dolphin and ensure the well‑being of the other Indian crews caught up in the flare‑up.

India’s reaction was swift and unequivocal. The MEA condemned the attacks on commercial vessels, describing the repeated strikes on maritime traffic as “deeply concerning.” The ministry warned that such aggression could further destabilise an already volatile region and jeopardise the safety of Indian nationals at sea.

Beyond condemnation, New Delhi called for an immediate de‑escalation of tensions. “Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers, and civilian infrastructure must cease,” the MEA said, urging all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and to respect freedom of navigation under international law.

As rescue teams continue their painstaking search, families of the missing seafarers cling to hope, while the broader maritime community watches anxiously, hoping the incident will serve as a wake‑up call for greater protection of shipping lanes that are lifelines for global trade.