Kuwait-flagged M/T Al Dasma Struck in Strait of Hormuz
A Kuwait-flagged tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, but all crew members are safe.
The tanker M/T Al Dasma was struck on October 21 while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 21 Indian crew members are safe.
The incident is part of a series of recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf region.
On October 21, a Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker, M/T Al Dasma, was hit by an unidentified projectile while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Fortunately, all 21 Indian seafarers aboard the vessel were reported safe, according to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. The incident occurred amidst rising tensions in the Middle East, prompting immediate concern for the crew's safety.
The minister provided updates via a post on X, assuring that authorities are closely monitoring the situation. He stated that the ship management company is in constant communication to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of the crew. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the incident took place approximately 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman, and a fire triggered by the projectile was quickly extinguished.
This incident is not isolated; it follows a series of security breaches in the region. Just days earlier, on October 16, another tanker, MT ST 3, which was carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was also struck by a projectile in the same strait. In both cases, all Indian nationals aboard were confirmed safe. Additionally, on October 14, a chemical tanker, YARA J, was hit by a drone off the coast of Romania, but all crew members were unharmed.
The increasing frequency of such incidents has raised alarms regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the Gulf region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has previously condemned attacks on commercial vessels, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures. They have called for an end to these assaults, emphasizing the importance of protecting maritime commerce and ensuring safe passage for all seafarers.
Looking ahead, the Indian government continues to engage with ship management companies to monitor the safety of Indian nationals at sea. As tensions in the Middle East persist, authorities are likely to intensify their efforts to secure maritime routes and safeguard the well-being of seafarers operating in these critical waters.
