Two Indian seafarers missing after drone hits tanker off Oman’s Sohar; India condemns attacks

Two Indian seafarers are missing and nine have been rescued after a drone struck the tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage off Oman on 11 October, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said. India has condemned the attack and a second strike on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz region the same day.

Search under way for two missing crew

The Nicaragua-flagged tanker had 11 Indian seafarers on board, according to Sonowal and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “Search-and-rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard,” Sonowal said in a post on X, adding that nine crew members had been rescued and were safe.

The Embassy of India in Muscat said on X that it was closely monitoring the situation and was in “close and continuous contact with the concerned authorities”, ANI reported.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said the tanker near Sohar anchorage was struck by a drone and reclassified the incident as an attack, Reuters reported. In its account, UKMTO said the strike damaged the vessel “but left all crew safe” and that local authorities were assisting in the evacuation of the crew. That account differs from the Indian government’s statement that two crew members are missing. The UKMTO statement as reported did not name the vessel.

The Maritime Executive described the Petro Dolphin as a 4,000 dwt coastal product tanker built in 2004 and owned and operated from the UAE.

Second tanker hit, India calls for de-escalation

In a statement on 11 October, the MEA said: “We condemn the attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region on 11 October 2026.” It said the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on board, and that all 11 Indian seafarers on that vessel were reported safe.

“The safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority for the Government of India,” the MEA said, adding that “attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease.” The ministry called for immediate de-escalation, resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, and for freedom of navigation to be upheld under international law. It said the embassy in Muscat was coordinating with Omani authorities and ship management companies on the search.

• 11 October: MT Petro Dolphin (Nicaragua flag) hit by drone at Sohar Anchorage; 11 Indian crew, nine rescued, two missing
• 11 October: MT Valthera (Marshall Islands flag) hit by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz; all 11 Indian crew safe
• 9 October: MT Gem No. 2 (Panama flag) hit by drone at Sharjah Anchorage; Sonowal said all 22 Indian crew were safe

The Reuters report did not identify who launched the drone. The Maritime Executive noted that Oman is a neutral country in the region.

Sources: ANI, ANI (MEA statement), Deccan Chronicle, Arab News (Reuters), The Maritime Executive, ETV Bharat.