New Delhi: Eleven Indian crew members were injured after a Panama-flagged commercial vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, triggering a strong response from India and renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the strategically vital waterway.
The vessel, MT On Peace, was carrying 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 12 crew members were injured in the incident, including 11 Indians, putting the safety of Indian seafarers at the center of growing concerns over attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
MT On Peace Hit by Projectile in Strait of Hormuz
According to MEA, MT On Peace came under attack while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman, leaving 12 crew members injured.
The crew included 17 Indian nationals out of a total of 19 people on board, making Indian citizens the majority of those affected by the incident.
The incident has drawn attention because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes, through which a significant share of global energy supplies and commercial shipping passes.
Any disruption or attack in the waterway can have wider consequences for shipping, trade, energy markets and regional security. The latest incident has therefore renewed concerns over the safety of vessels and seafarers traveling through the strategically important route.
India Condemns Attack on Commercial Shipping
India has strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep concern over the continuing incidents involving shipping in the region. The government has stressed that commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure should not become targets amid escalating regional tensions.
The MEA has also called for an immediate end to attacks on shipping and seafarers. India has further stressed the need to restore safe navigation and normal commercial movement through international waterways, underlining the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation.
Indian Seafarers at the Center of Concern
The fact that 11 of the 12 injured crew members are Indian has brought the safety of Indian seafarers into sharp focus. For the families of the injured crew members, the incident has added another layer of anxiety, with the safety of Indian sailors once again becoming a major national concern.
The latest development also highlights the risks faced by thousands of Indian seafarers working on commercial vessels operating across strategically important international shipping routes.
Fresh Concerns Over Maritime Security
The latest incident adds to concerns over maritime security in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where even a single attack can raise fears among shipping companies, seafarers and countries dependent on uninterrupted trade.
Any sustained threat to commercial vessels could affect shipping operations and increase pressure on regional and international authorities to strengthen maritime security measures. For India, the safety of its citizens working aboard commercial vessels remains a key concern as instability continues to affect maritime traffic in the region.