21 Indian Sailors Rescued, 3 Missing After Ship Attack Off Oman Coast.

Omani Coast Guard evacuates crew after drone/missile strike hits cargo vessel; India calls targeting of civilian mariners ‘unacceptable’.

New Delhi, June 10, 2026:An Indian-flagged cargo vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman, prompting a nighttime rescue by Omani authorities. Twenty-one Indian sailors were rescued while three Indians remain missing following two separate strikes on merchant ships amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region. 2d2dd5f6

What Happened

Two Incidents: Three Indian nationals are believed to have lost their lives in two separate attacks by Iranian forces on merchant vessels off the Oman coast during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

MKD Vyom Attack: On March 2, 2026, the oil tanker MKD Vyom was hit by an explosive-laden drone boat 52 nautical miles off Muscat Governorate. The strike caused a fire and explosion in the engine room, killing one Indian crew member, identified as Amrit Lal Solanki. The remaining 21 crew were evacuated.

MV Skylight Attack: A day earlier, the oil tanker _MV Skylight was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. One person from Bihar and another from Rajasthan are learnt to have perished. Four crew were injured. 

Rescue & India’s Response

Rescued Crew: The 21 evacuated from MKD Vyom included 16 Indians, 4 Bangladeshis and 1 Ukrainian. They were rescued with help from a passing commercial vessel and the Royal Navy of Oman.

MEA Statement: The Ministry of External Affairs called the attack on an Indian-flagged ship “unacceptable” and said India “deplores the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted”. All Indian crew on board are safe and India thanked Omani authorities for rescuing them.

Oman’s Role: Omani Coast Guard and naval forces monitored the damaged tanker and issued navigational warnings. In a separate May incident, Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew from the Gujarat-owned MSV Haji Ali after it was hit by a drone or missile-like projectile. 

The strikes come amid ongoing maritime security threats in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, with reported missile and drone activity. India has reiterated that “targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided”. 

The Embassy of India in Oman said it is working closely with local authorities to facilitate safe and early repatriation of Indian nationals. Search operations continue for missing crew members.