MEA condemns attack on commercial vessel off the coast of Oman as 1 seafarer remains missing

MEA condemns attack on commercial vessel off the coast of Oman as 1 seafarer remains missing
Sep 14, 2026 https://www.firstpost.com/world/mea-condemns-attack-on-commercial-vessel...

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, as one Indian seafarer continues to remain missing following the attack.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, as one Indian seafarer continues to remain missing following the attack. The ministry noted that 13 other Indian crew members of the vessel, MT El Gaia, were rescued.

The ministry thanked the Omani authorities and called for peace in the region. "We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 14 Indian crew onboard, 13 Indians have been rescued so far. Search and Rescue operations for the missing Indian national are continuing," the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

"Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation. We thank the Omani authorities for their support in rescuing our nationals," it added.

"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and pursuance of dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable."

New Delhi's concerns over seafarers' safety

New Delhi has recently expressed concern about attacks on commercial shipping, as most vessels carry Indian seafarers.

While speaking on the matter at the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the creation of a 'Seafarers' Emergency Support Network' to safeguard them from security risks due to regional conflicts.

10 out of 16 seafarers are Indian, who have been killed so far in the West Asia conflict are Indian, while another five Indian seafarers have died in strikes on merchant vessels in the Black Sea. The attacks have intensified in the region, with the waterways becoming the prime target of disruption. "We also urge that free and safe navigation and flow of commerce through the international waterways in the region be restored at the earliest," the ministry concluded.