India confirms one seafarer killed in Cape Dao attack
UKMTO said the cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile and caught fire, while all crew were evacuated and two casualties were reported.
India has confirmed that one Indian seafarer was killed after the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao was attacked off the east coast of Oman on 23 September. The Embassy of India, Muscat said 19 of the 20 Indian seafarers on board were rescued, while one Indian national lost his life.
The Embassy of India, Muscat, said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the Indian seafarers. It also expressed its appreciation to the Omani authorities for their assistance.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), in Warning 142-26 issued on 23 September, reported an incident involving a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the vessel's Company Security Officer, the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, caught fire and was left adrift.
UKMTO said all crew members had been evacuated and two casualties were reported. Authorities were investigating the incident, while there was no reported environmental impact at the time. UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) identified the deceased Indian seafarer as Wiper Shri Suraj Yadav, 26, from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the union said MV Cape Dao was travelling from Mina Saqr to India when it was attacked off Oman.
According to the FSUI, the vessel had 28 crew members, including 20 Indians. The union said the Royal Navy of Oman evacuated the survivors from the vessel.
The FSUI also raised concerns about Indian seafarers who have been killed, injured or reported missing in incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and Black Sea.
The union has called for the repatriation of Suraj Yadav's remains and assistance and compensation for his family. It has also sought the establishment of a standing National Crisis Management Team involving relevant government and maritime authorities to respond to incidents involving Indian seafarers.
The FSUI has further called for naval presence, escort and rapid response for Indian crew on Indian- and foreign-flag ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and Black Sea. It has also sought the tracing of missing seafarers and early operationalisation of the BRICS Seafarers' Emergency Support Network.
The Embassy of India, Muscat, has said that the Indian government remains in close coordination with the Omani authorities regarding the affected Indian seafarers.