Indian cargo ship sinks after drone strike near Oman, Delhi calls attack deplorable

New Delhi (TIP): Haji Ali, a cargo ship from Gujarat, sank off the coast of Oman after a suspected drone strike, with all 14 Indian crew members rescued safely by Omani authorities, according to officials. The incident has heightened concerns over maritime security in the region amid escalating tensions linked to the Iran–US conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel, registered at Salaya Port in Devbhoomi Dwarka district, was sailing from Somalia to Sharjah carrying livestock when the incident occurred early Wednesdayy 13.
Reports said the ship was passing near Limah, off Oman’s northern coast, at around 3:30 am when it was struck by an unidentified explosive object, suspected to be a drone or missile. The impact triggered a fire on board, causing the vessel to lose stability before eventually sinking into the sea.
The crew acted quickly after the strike. As flames spread through the ship, the 14 sailors — including one tandel and 13 crew members — sent out a distress signal and evacuated into lifeboats.
The Oman Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and brought all crew members safely to Deeba port. Ship owner Sultan Ahmed Sanghar later confirmed that all those on board were safe.
It is not immediately known who carried out the strike on the vessel on Wednesday, but the Ministry of External Affairs described the attack as “unacceptable”.
“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” it said.
Several livestock animals being transported on the vessel were reportedly washed away after the ship sank into the sea.
The MEA confirmed that all 14 Indian sailors rescued from the sunken vessel were safe. “All Indian crew on board are safe, and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” it said. The ministry also stressed that civilian shipping must not be targeted, reiterating that attacks on commercial vessels and actions that threaten innocent crew members or disrupt freedom of navigation and maritime trade should be avoided.
The MEA statement did not identify the party responsible for the strike, and Omani authorities are investigating the incident. The Indian Sailing Vessels Association said all sailors were safe, and their documents had been secured.
General Secretary Adam Bhaya urged the Indian government to facilitate the crew’s return at the earliest and intensify diplomatic engagement to ensure their safe passage home. The sinking of Haji Ali marks the second such incident involving a Gujarat-linked vessel in less than a week.
Earlier, another vessel from Salaya, Al Faiz Noor Suleimani-1, reportedly sank in the Strait of Hormuz after being caught in crossfire linked to the ongoing regional conflict.
The two incidents have raised alarm among ship operators and traders in Gujarat’s traditional maritime sector, many of whom rely on routes through the Gulf for cargo transport.