3 Ships Carrying Indian Crew Attacked Near Gulf Amid West Asia Conflict

Three foreign-flagged ships carrying Indian crew members were hit on September 8 and 9 amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to a report prepared by the Directorate of Maritime Administration.

The ships were the Palau-flagged LPG carrier Horizon 1, the Zimbabwe-flagged crude oil tanker Riesco, and the Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Mersin Prosperity.

All crew members on the three ships are safe, the report said.

The Zimbabwe-flagged crude oil tanker Riesco was reportedly hit by U.S. naval forces in the Gulf of Oman on September 8 at around 11 p.m. IST.

All 21 Indian crew members had left the tanker before the incident because of the security situation and moved to a safe shelter at an Iranian port, the report said.

All crew members are safe.

The Palau-flagged LPG carrier Horizon 1 was reportedly hit on September 8 at around 11:30 p.m. IST at Khor Fakkan OPL.

There were 16 crew members on board, including 14 Indians and two Georgian nationals.

The ship’s owner and technical manager, KBT Ship Management, said all 16 crew members were rescued by another vessel nearby and are safe.

The Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Mersin Prosperity was hit by a projectile near Fujairah on September 9.

The tanker had seven Indian crew members on board. All crew members are safe and accounted for, according to the report.

173 Indian seafarers still on vessels in Persian Gulf

The Directorate of Maritime Administration said six Indian-flagged vessels and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest are currently in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz.

There are 173 Indian seafarers on board these vessels.

Another 10 vessels of Indian interest have been identified for evacuation. These include Indian-flagged ships and foreign-flagged ships heading to India.

Since the start of the West Asia conflict, four incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels and 50 involving foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian crew members have been reported, according to the maritime administration.

The incidents have resulted in nine seafarer deaths, 12 injuries and one person presumed dead, the report said.

The safety of Indian seafarers and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz were also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi.

Pezeshkian arrived in India on September 11 to attend the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India.

Modi said India remains committed to lasting peace in the region.

References: moneycontrol, hindustantimes