Five Indian crew members rescued after tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz

Rescue Operation

Five Indian citizens working on a Kuwaiti oil tanker have been safely brought to land after their ship was hit by an explosive object while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian embassy in Oman helped coordinate the rescue mission and thanked local authorities in Oman for their support in bringing the crew ashore safely. The vessel, named MT Kazimah III, was sailing toward the port of Lome in Togo when the incident happened.

Official Response

India's Ministry of External Affairs says more than 4,500 Indian sailors are currently working on various commercial ships in the region, including 163 individuals aboard 12 active cargo ships. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the department is working alongside diplomatic missions and local partners to monitor vessel movements and crew safety. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently addressed the United Nations General Assembly to condemn attacks on commercial vessels and workers, noting that Indian seafarers have lost their lives in these maritime incidents.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, carrying a massive share of the world's oil supply. Waters in this area, along with nearby trade routes like the Red Sea, have seen growing security threats that put commercial ships and their crews at risk. India continues to work with international partners to push for better protection of global shipping lanes and the people who work on them.