Muscat: An oil tanker sailing off the coast of Oman was attacked in a suspected drone strike, killing an Indian crew member and raising fresh concerns about the safety of shipping routes in the Gulf region.
The vessel, identified as MT MKD VYOM and flying the Marshall Islands flag, was struck by an unmanned explosive boat near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, about 52 nautical miles from Muscat. The explosion caused a fire in the engine room and left the tanker seriously damaged.
Authorities confirmed that one Indian national working as a crew member died in the incident. Several other crew members were evacuated safely after the blast, and emergency teams responded to control the fire and assess the damage.
The tanker was carrying a large cargo of petroleum products at the time of the attack. Maritime security sources said the strike appears to be part of the rising tensions in the region linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Western allies.
Recent days have seen increasing threats to commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which nearly one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Shipping companies are becoming increasingly cautious, with some vessels rerouting or delaying transit due to security fears.
The attack has intensified concerns about global energy supplies and maritime safety, as insurers raise risk premiums and governments warn vessels to exercise extreme caution while navigating the Gulf.
Officials are continuing investigations into the incident as international attention focuses on protecting one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors.