Indian Seafarer Missing After Attack on Vessel Off Oman Coast

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that one Indian seafarer is missing after an attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman. While 13 crew members have been rescued, search operations for the missing individual are ongoing. The Indian Embassy in Oman is actively coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of the crew. This incident follows a similar attack on another Indian-flagged vessel in the Red Sea last month, raising concerns about maritime security in the region. The MEA has called for de-escalation of tensions and restoration of safe navigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 13, 2026, 21:18 IST

Incident Overview

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday that one Indian seafarer is currently unaccounted for following an assault on the commercial ship MT El Gaia near Oman's coastline.

The MEA expressed its condemnation of the attack, stating, "Of the 14 Indian crew members aboard, 13 have been successfully rescued. Efforts to locate the missing crew member are ongoing."

The Indian Embassy in Oman is actively overseeing the situation and is in close collaboration with Omani officials to facilitate the Search and Rescue operations.

The ministry also extended its gratitude to the Omani authorities for their assistance in the rescue of Indian nationals.

The MEA reiterated the necessity for immediate de-escalation of tensions and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the region. They condemned the targeting of commercial vessels, seafarers, and civilian infrastructure, calling it unacceptable. Furthermore, they urged for the restoration of safe navigation and commerce through international waterways as soon as possible.

The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that it is diligently monitoring the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts for the Indian nationals.

The Embassy stated, "The Mission is closely observing the SAR operations for the 14 Indian nationals aboard the Panama-flagged tanker El Gaia. The rescue of 13 Indian nationals has been completed, and they have been safely brought ashore. Omani authorities are continuing their efforts to locate the one missing crew member. We appreciate the ongoing support and assistance from the Omani authorities."

In a related incident last month, the MEA condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea off Yemen's coast.

The ministry confirmed that all 13 Indian crew members were rescued, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation while coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew's safety.

The MEA stated, "We condemn the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea on August 4, 2026. All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued, and our Embassy in Riyadh is actively coordinating with Yemeni authorities for the crew's safety. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support."