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One Indian killed, 19 rescued in attack on vessel off coast of Oman, ministry says
The Indian embassy in Muscat said they were coordinating with Omani authorities regarding the attack on MV Cape Dao on Wednesday
- PUBLISHED: Wed 23 Sept 2026, 6:37 PM UPDATED: Wed 23 Sept 2026, 8:51 PM
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One Indian national was killed in an attack on MV Cape Dao while the vessel was heading towards India, the Indian embassy in Oman said on Wednesday. Other crew members were safely evacuated, while the incident caused a fire on board, Oman's Maritime Security Centre said.
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The Indian embassy said it was closely monitoring the attack on the MV Cape Dao and was coordinating with Omani authorities over the safety of all crew members on board. The vessel had 20 Indian nationals among its crew.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one Indian national in this attack. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," the embassy in Muscat said, adding that it was coordinating with the RPSL and remained in contact with the family of the deceased.
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A Royal Navy of Oman vessel, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities, carried out an evacuation operation for the crew of the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged merchant vessel.
A total of 27 crew members were evacuated and provided with the necessary medical care, after the vessel was targeted approximately 2.5 nautical miles off the Governorate of Musandam. The incident resulted in a fire breaking out in the engine room and the death of one crew member, according to Oman's Maritime Security Centre.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack on the vessel off the east coast of Oman on Wednesday. "Of the 20 Indian seafarers on board, 19 have been rescued, while 1 Indian national tragically lost his life. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities for early repatriation of the Indian seafarers. We thank the Omani authorities for their support," the ministry said in a statement.
"The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable early return of peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region must be restored at the earliest," the ministry added.
The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), which says it represents seafarers globally and works for their rights, in a post on X, identified the deceased as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh. "This is not an isolated tragedy," the union wrote in an open letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking for immediate intervention.
"He was a civilian seafarer, not a combatant. This death is not justified. Indian seafarers keep being killed and reported missing in Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and Black Sea. Assurances have not stopped the killing," the FSUI said.
