Two Indian sailors missing after drone attack off Oman as authorities continue searching for crew members from the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said nine Indian seafarers were rescued safely, while India is coordinating with Oman over the ongoing operation.
MT Petro Dolphin attack
The Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck in a reported drone attack at Sohar Anchorage off Oman on October 11 while carrying 11 Indian seafarers. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that nine members of the Indian crew were successfully rescued and were safe, while two Indian nationals remained missing.
Sonowal said Indian authorities were coordinating continuously with agencies involved in the response and would extend all possible support to efforts to locate the missing sailors. The incident has renewed concern over maritime security around the Gulf and nearby shipping routes, where commercial vessels continue to operate amid heightened regional tensions.
Oman rescue operation
Search-and-rescue teams, including the local Coast Guard, launched operations after the tanker drone attack to locate the two missing crew members. No confirmed update on their whereabouts had been announced in the information released by Indian officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs described the attack as deeply concerning and warned that incidents targeting commercial shipping could further aggravate an already volatile regional situation. India has emphasised the safety of its nationals and merchant shipping personnel operating in the area.
Indian Embassy Muscat
The Indian Embassy Muscat said it was closely monitoring developments involving MT Petro Dolphin and remained in continuous contact with the concerned Omani authorities.
With two Indian seafarers still unaccounted for, the embassy and Indian government agencies are focused on supporting the search operation and maintaining contact with relevant maritime authorities. The case has particular significance for India because hundreds of thousands of Indian sailors serve aboard merchant vessels around the world.
MT Valthera incident
A separate maritime incident was also reported on October 11 involving the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Sonowal, the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire onboard.
All 11 Indian seafarers aboard MT Valthera were reported safe. The two incidents on the same day highlight growing risks to commercial vessels travelling through strategically important waters connecting the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
Tanker drone attack raises maritime security concerns
India is one of the world's major suppliers of merchant shipping personnel. According to the Shipping Ministry, the country had more than 320,000 active seafarers in 2025, making the safety of Indian crews overseas an important policy concern.
The immediate priority remains locating the two missing sailors from MT Petro Dolphin. Authorities are also expected to closely assess the circumstances surrounding both attacks as concerns rise over the security of merchant vessels, energy shipments and international shipping routes in the region.
