One Indian crew member died and 13 others were rescued after the vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck near Oman’s coast on November 2. The cause of the incident remains unconfirmed.
MUSCAT, OMAN — WEB DESK — November 3, 2026: An Indian sailor has died after an Indian-flagged cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified aerial object off the coast of Oman, while 13 other crew members were rescued, Indian authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The vessel, identified as MSV Al Jusufi, was carrying 14 Indian seafarers when it was hit on Monday, November 2. The deceased sailor was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, from Gujarat, India. The remaining crew members were safely evacuated and rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed condolences to the deceased sailor’s family and said Indian officials were coordinating with local authorities to assist the survivors.
The Indian ministry and embassy in Oman are working to facilitate the repatriation of the surviving crew members and the deceased sailor’s remains.
Cause of Incident Remains Unclear
Authorities have not publicly identified the aerial object that struck the vessel. The type of weapon involved, the party responsible and the precise circumstances of the incident remain unconfirmed.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns for commercial shipping in waters surrounding Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, where regional hostilities have increased risks to merchant vessels.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international shipping route for oil and other energy supplies. Any further attacks on commercial vessels could raise concerns about maritime safety, shipping costs and the stability of global energy markets.
Focus on Crew Safety and Maritime Security
The rescue of the 13 surviving crew members has become an immediate priority for Indian and Omani authorities, alongside arrangements for the deceased sailor’s repatriation.
The incident adds to concerns over the safety of seafarers operating in the region during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Commercial vessels continue to face uncertainty as governments monitor maritime threats and work to protect international shipping.
No responsibility for the attack has been established publicly, and further details about the vessel’s damage and the investigation have yet to emerge.
The situation remains under development, with further official information expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the strike.
