- An Indian seafarer died after MV Cape Dao was attacked en route to India
- Wiper Suraj Yadav from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was identified as the victim
- MV Cape Dao was hit by two torpedoes on the port side of the vessel
An Indian seafarer was killed after the vessel MV Cape Dao came under attack while sailing towards India. The victim has been identified as Wiper Suraj Yadav, from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday condemned an attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao off the east coast of Oman, confirming that one Indian seafarer lost his life while 19 others on board have been rescued.
"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao earlier today off the east coast of Oman," the MEA said in a statement, adding that of the 20 Indian seafarers on board, 19 have been rescued while one Indian national "tragically lost his life." The ministry offered its condolences to the victim's family.
India's Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities to facilitate the early repatriation of the rescued seafarers, the MEA said, thanking Omani authorities for their support.
The MEA said the continuing attacks on commercial shipping were "deeply worrisome" and renewed its call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions. The ministry said the targeting of commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure "must end," and called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through the region's international waterways at the earliest.
Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) said the ship was struck by two torpedoes, one hitting the port side C-deck, where the crew's living quarters are located, and the other striking the port side hull near the engine room. The vessel had 28 crew members on board, of whom 20 were Indian nationals. This figure differs from the 19 Indian nationals mentioned by the Indian Embassy in Oman.
In a statement, FSUI said assurances of safety for seafarers in the region meant nothing in light of the attack. "Innocent civilian seafarers are being slaughtered in and around Hormuz," the union said.
The organisation has demanded immediate accountability over the incident, along with safe passage for seafarers travelling through the region and justice for Yadav and "every Indian seafarer still at risk," it said.
