Indian Seafarers Safe After LNG Carrier Struck in Persian Gulf
Six Indian seafarers are safe after the LNG carrier M/T Al Mayeda was hit by a projectile in the Persian Gulf. Read more on the escalating risks.
In a harrowing turn of events amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, an LNG carrier flagged to the Marshall Islands, the M/T Al Mayeda, was targeted by a projectile attack in the Persian Gulf. The vessel was carrying six Indian seafarers at the time of the strike, sparking immediate concern for their safety.
Crew Confirmed Safe
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has confirmed that the entire 25-member crew, including the six Indian nationals, are completely safe. Taking to X on Saturday, the Minister assured the public that the Indian government is actively monitoring the situation and maintaining constant communication with the ship's management company to ensure the continued security and well-being of the crew.
A Pattern of Attacks
The strike on the M/T Al Mayeda is not an isolated incident. Minister Sonowal revealed that a total of 29 Indian crew members across two different tankers were targeted in separate incidents on October 29 and 30. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in either of these events.
One of these incidents involved the Panama-flagged oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, which was carrying 27 Indian seafarers. This vessel sustained damage from limpet mines while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. This particular attack is significant as it marks the first confirmed use of limpet mines against a vessel in that specific zone since the US-Iran war began in February.
The Human and Global Cost
The ongoing volatility in West Asia has already taken a heavy toll. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have tragically lost their lives due to the conflict.
Diplomatic Concerns and Global Impact
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised grave concerns regarding the repeated targeting of civilian shipping and seafarers. During the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Jaishankar emphasized the critical need to protect the freedom of navigation.
Highlighting the broader economic implications, Jaishankar noted that the Global South is bearing a disproportionate burden of these hostilities. He warned that attacks on civilian vessels do more than endanger lives; they jeopardize the global supply chain, placing the availability and pricing of essential commodities—specifically fuel, food, and fertilizers—under severe threat.