Two Indian seafarers missing after drone strike on MT Petro Dolphin off Oman
Synopsis
A drone strike on tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage, Oman has left two Indian seafarers missing — the second attack on a vessel carrying Indian crew off Oman's coast in less than a week. With nine rescued and rescue ops active, New Delhi is coordinating with Muscat as the Gulf's maritime security crisis claims Indian lives for the second time in days.
Key Takeaways
Tanker MT Petro Dolphin was hit by a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage, Oman on 11 October 2026 .
Of the 11 Indian crew members onboard, 9 have been rescued ; 2 remain missing .
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident and said coordination with authorities is ongoing.
The Embassy of India in Muscat is in continuous contact with Omani authorities.
A separate attack on MT On Peace on 6 October injured 11 Indian nationals in the Strait of Hormuz — marking two incidents within a week.
India's MEA has called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
Two Indian seafarers remain missing after the tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian crew members, was hit by a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage, Oman on 11 October 2026. Nine of the Indian nationals onboard have been successfully rescued, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed, as search-and-rescue operations continue.
What Happened at Sohar Anchorage
The Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin came under drone fire while anchored at Sohar Anchorage off the coast of Oman on Sunday. All 11 crew members aboard were Indian nationals. While nine have been pulled to safety, two remain unaccounted for as local coast guard teams continue active rescue efforts.
Minister Sonowal posted on social media platform X: 'On October 11, tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing.'
He added: 'Search-and-rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard. We are continuously coordinating with all relevant authorities to fully support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure every possible action is taken to safely locate our missing personnel.'
Embassy of India Closely Monitoring the Situation
The Embassy of India in Muscat said it is in continuous contact with concerned authorities. In a post on X, the Embassy stated: 'The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation concerning MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker. Two of the 11 Indian seafarers onboard are reported missing. The Embassy is in close and continuous contact with the concerned authorities.'
A Pattern of Attacks on Vessels with Indian Crew
The strike on MT Petro Dolphin follows a near-identical incident just days earlier. On 6 October, India condemned a projectile attack on the Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz off Oman's coast. Of the total crew of 19 aboard that vessel, 17 were Indian nationals, and 12 crew members — including 11 Indians — were injured.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp statement condemning that earlier attack: 'We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.' The MEA described the continuing attacks on regional shipping as 'a cause of deep concern for India' and renewed its call for an immediate halt to such incidents.
India's Position on Maritime Security
New Delhi has consistently demanded an end to targeting of civilian commercial vessels in the Gulf region. The MEA reiterated that 'the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest.' This marks at least the second confirmed incident involving Indian crew in the waters off Oman within a single week — a frequency that is testing India's diplomatic posture in the region.
With rescue operations still active, the fate of the two missing seafarers remains the immediate priority for Indian authorities and the Omani coast guard.
Point of View
And India's calibrated diplomatic language is beginning to look insufficient. New Delhi's repeated calls for 'cessation of such incidents' have not translated into any visible deterrent. The MEA's condemnations are measured and appropriate, but the absence of a named perpetrator in either incident points to a gap in public accountability that leaves Indian families of seafarers without answers. With thousands of Indians working in Gulf maritime trade routes, the government's coordination capacity — not just its rhetoric — is now under scrutiny.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to MT Petro Dolphin off Oman?
The tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage in Oman on 11 October 2026. The vessel was carrying 11 Indian crew members, of whom 9 have been rescued and 2 remain missing as of the latest update.
Who confirmed the attack on MT Petro Dolphin?
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the attack in a post on social media platform X. The Embassy of India in Muscat also issued a statement saying it is closely monitoring the situation.
What was the MT On Peace incident?
On 6 October 2026, the Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off Oman. Of its 19-member crew, 17 were Indian nationals, and 12 crew members — including 11 Indians — were injured. India condemned the attack.
What is India doing to locate the missing seafarers?
India is coordinating with Omani authorities and the local coast guard, which has active search-and-rescue operations underway at Sohar Anchorage. The Embassy of India in Muscat is in continuous contact with the concerned authorities.
What is India's official stance on attacks on Gulf shipping?
The Ministry of External Affairs has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on commercial shipping in the region, stating that targeting of civilian vessels and seafarers 'must end' and that free navigation through international waterways must be restored at the earliest.
