Gandhar Nahim Aziz of Gujarat lost his life in the attack, 13 other Indian sailors on board the ship were rescued safely by Oman's Coast Guard.
Tezzbuzz Desk – Another Indian citizen has died amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Indian sailor Gandhar Nahim Aziz, a resident of Gujarat, lost his life in the attack on a cargo ship off the coast of Oman. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed about this incident on 3 November. According to him, there were a total of 14 Indian sailors on board the ship, out of which 13 were safely rescued by the Oman Coast Guard.
The ship was attacked on 2 November
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on social media platform X that on November 2, a ship passing near the coast of Oman was attacked by an unidentified aerial object. Indian sailor Gandhar Nahim Aziz was injured in the attack and died of his injuries. Expressing grief over this incident, the Minister expressed condolences to the sailor's family.
'MSV Al Jusufi', which was the victim of the attack, is a ship from Salaya in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat. It was carrying goods from UAE's Hamriyah port towards Porbandar in Gujarat. Meanwhile, information about the ship being attacked by an explosive drone or missile came to light. Of the 14 Indian sailors on board, 13 were evacuated safely.
The central government and the Indian Embassy in Oman are in touch with the local authorities. Their priority is to provide necessary assistance to the rescued sailors and to bring back the mortal remains of deceased Gandhar Nahim Aziz to India.
22 Indians have died so far in the conflict
The death toll of Indian citizens amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is also raising concerns. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had told in a regular media briefing last week that so far 22 Indian citizens have lost their lives in the conflict-affected area. These include 14 sailors.
Expressing concern over the situation, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the safety of Indian citizens in the conflict area is of utmost importance. The latest incident off the coast of Oman has once again raised questions about the safety of Indian sailors working in the area.