An Indian seafarer was killed after the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao was attacked off Oman on Wednesday, September 23.
Nineteen of the 20 Indian seafarers on the ship were rescued, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged ship had 28 crew members on board. It was sailing from Mina Saqr to India through the Oman route when it was attacked.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said the ship was hit by two torpedoes on its port side. One hit the C-deck accommodation area and the other struck the port-side hull near the engine room.
The attack caused a fire in the engine room.
The seafarer who died was identified as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Uttar Pradesh, India. He was working through Keyline Maritime Services.
Per reports, Yadav suffered a head injury during the attack and later died.
The Royal Navy of Oman evacuated the crew after the attack. The surviving crew members were taken ashore in Oman.
Among the surviving Indian seafarers was fourth engineer Devraj, who was working through NavSukh Marine. He suffered a minor injury. Two other Indian crew members were from Caspia Shipmanagement.
The MEA condemned the attack and offered its condolences to Yadav’s family.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said it was monitoring the situation and was in contact with Omani authorities about the crew. It was also working with the relevant Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers agency and Yadav’s family.
Omani authorities said the ship was attacked about 25 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate.
No one had publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.
A report prepared by the Directorate of Maritime Administration confirmed that 28 crew members were on board, including 20 Indian seafarers.
Of the Indian crew, 17 were from RPSL Keyline Maritime Services Pvt. Ltd., one was from RPSL NavSukh Marine and two were from RPSL Caspia Shipmanagement.
The respective RPSLs were coordinating with the shipowners and managers. Detailed reports and FIRs were still awaited.
India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed condolences over Yadav’s death.
Another Indian seafarer killed.
Wiper Suraj Yadav of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, is dead after MV Cape Dao was attacked today while sailing toward India.
28 crew on board, 20 of them Indian.
Two torpedoes: • Port side C-deck (accommodation) • Port side hull (engine room)
Assurances… pic.twitter.com/AvrD2p1Cwd— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) September 23, 2026
Sonowal said the government would ensure that Yadav’s mortal remains were brought back to India with full dignity. He also said his family would receive all possible support.
He said the 19 surviving Indian seafarers had been safely evacuated by the Royal Navy of Oman and were ashore.
Maritime authorities were told to work with Omani authorities and the ship management company to arrange the safe and early return of the surviving crew to India.
The MEA said the repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region were “deeply worrisome”.
It called for “dialogue and diplomacy” to reduce tensions and bring peace back to the region.
The ministry also said attacks on commercial ships, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must stop. It called for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region.
According to data provided by the MEA to Parliament, 10 Indian seafarers have been killed in the West Asia conflict.
The FSUI said 10 seafarers had died and 12 had been injured in attacks involving four Indian ships and 60 foreign-flagged vessels since the start of the West Asia crisis.
The union has called for greater protection for civilian seafarers and accountability for the attacks.
It also said seafarers would wear black ribbons on September 25 to protest the incident and demand justice for Yadav’s family.
FSUI representative Manoj Yadav said the union was seeking safe passage and better protection for Indian seafarers working in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
References: The Daily Jagran, indianexpress