Five Indians rescued after projectile hits Kuwait tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Five Indian nationals aboard the Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker MT Kazimah III were safely shifted ashore after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the Embassy of India in Oman said on Friday (Tribune India).

“Earlier today, the Mission coordinated rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All 5 Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely. We thank the Omani authorities for their continued support and assistance,” the embassy said in its post on X (Tribune India).

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said it had received a report of an incident “4 nm east of Oman” (Lokmat Times): the master of a crude oil tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile on the port side, all crew were safe, and no environmental impact had been reported at present time. Authorities are investigating, and vessels were advised to transit with caution (Lokmat Times).

MT Kazimah III was en route to the port of Lomé in Togo, according to Maritime Vessels Trackers (Lokmat Times).

The rescue comes as India monitors seafarer safety in the region. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are aboard commercial vessels operating in the area, including 163 Indian seafarers on 12 active cargo ships, with six India-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf (Times Now). Who fired the projectile is unidentified and remains under investigation.