Kuwait-flagged tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers struck by projectile in Strait of Hormuz
The Kuwait-flagged oil products tanker M/T Al Dasma was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Oct 21; all 21 Indian seafarers aboard are safe, India's shipping minister said, as a fire on board was brought under control.
A Kuwait-flagged oil products tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, Oct 21, though all crew members are safe (The Economic Times).
The vessel, M/T Al Dasma, was hit in the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident in a post on X: “On Oct 21, Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker M/T AL DASMA, carrying 21 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. All 21 of our Indian crew members, along with the rest of the crew are completely safe” (The Times of India).
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) tracked the strike about 11 nautical miles west of Bukha in Oman, on the southern side of the strait. A fire broke out on board following the strike but was later extinguished, and the tanker was anchored; no environmental impact was reported at the time of the advisory (Madhyamam).
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents in the Gulf. Earlier this month, on Oct 16, the crude oil tanker MT ST 3 carrying 15 Indian seafarers was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz; all Indian nationals aboard were reported safe (Siasat). India has repeatedly condemned attacks on commercial shipping as legally and morally indefensible, stressing freedom of navigation (Madhyamam).
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