One Indian national has died after an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, according to confirmation from Oman’s Maritime Security Centre.
The incident took place between March 1 and March 2, 2026, in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 52 nautical miles northwest of Port Sultan Qaboos near Muscat.
Vessel and attack details
The tanker involved has been identified as MKD VYOMflying the flag of the Marshall Islands. Earlier confusion in some reports mentioned other vessels, but official confirmation clarified the ship’s identity.
Authorities said the vessel was struck by an unmanned explosive-laden boat, described as a drone or kamikaze-style craft. The impact caused a fire and explosion in the ship’s main engine room.
The deceased crew member, an Indian national, was reportedly inside the engine compartment at the time of the blast.
The tanker was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo, believed to be oil or petroleum products.
Crew evacuation
All remaining 20 crew members were evacuated safely. The rescue was carried out by the Panama-flagged vessel MV SAND.
The crew comprised:
- 16 Indian nationals
- 4 Bangladeshi nationals
- 1 Ukrainian national
No additional fatalities were reported on board the vessel.
Wider regional context
The attack is part of a broader pattern of maritime incidents in the region amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran confrontation. Reports indicate that at least two other tankers in nearby waters were damaged in separate incidents, though no fatalities were confirmed in those cases.
No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the incident occurred amid heightened naval threats in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz, critical shipping lanes for global energy trade.
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre described the incident as part of an evolving security situation and confirmed investigations are ongoing.
This marks the first confirmed Indian casualty linked to the current wave of maritime security incidents in the region.
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