Five Indian Seafarers Rescued from Stricken Tanker in Hormuz
Five Indian nationals aboard the MT Kazimah III were safely rescued after their tanker was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.
The MT Kazimah III was struck while navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian embassy in Oman coordinated the successful rescue operation.
Over 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently operating in the region amidst rising security threats.
On Friday, five Indian seafarers aboard the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III were safely rescued after the vessel was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian embassy in Oman confirmed that all crew members were safely brought ashore following the incident, which occurred while the tanker was en route to Lomé, Togo.
The embassy expressed gratitude towards the Omani authorities for their assistance during the rescue operation. This incident highlights the increasing security risks faced by commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, prompting India to enhance its monitoring of the safety of its seafarers in the region.
According to external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, there are currently more than 4,500 Indian seafarers working on various commercial vessels in the area. Of these, 163 are aboard 12 active cargo ships, which include both Indian and foreign-flagged vessels. The ministry is actively coordinating with local stakeholders to ensure the welfare of these seafarers and track vessel movements.
The recent attack on the MT Kazimah III is part of a troubling trend of increased threats to maritime safety in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Black Sea. External affairs minister S. Jaishankar raised concerns about these attacks during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to safeguard shipping routes and protect seafarers.
Looking ahead, the Indian government remains committed to the safety of its maritime community. The ministry of shipping will continue to work closely with diplomatic missions and local authorities to monitor the situation and respond to any emerging threats to Indian seafarers in the region.
