Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Search continues for missing Indian seafarer after Oman attack
A ship carrying 14 Indian seafarers was attacked near Oman on Sunday.
Thirteen people were rescued, but one seafarer is still missing.
Omani authorities and the Indian embassy are helping search for that person.
India said attacks on ships and civilians are not acceptable.
India also called for safer travel and trade through the region’s waterways.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard gave a different account of what happened.
It said the tanker El Gaia hit naval mines after using a route it described as forbidden.
Iran also said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and controlled by its naval forces.
A commercial vessel carrying 14 Indian seafarers was attacked off Oman on Sunday.
Thirteen Indian nationals were rescued with help from Omani authorities, while one remains missing.
The Indian embassy in Oman is coordinating with Omani authorities during the search and rescue operation.
India called attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and infrastructure unacceptable.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the tanker El Gaia caught fire after hitting naval mines on a prohibited route near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- Fourteen Indian seafarers were aboard the vessel; 13 were rescued and one remains missing. Omani authorities, India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassy in Oman are involved in the response.
- What
- A commercial vessel identified as MT El Gaia was attacked or suffered an incident involving fire, with one Indian seafarer still missing.
- When
- The incident occurred on Sunday; the Ministry of External Affairs provided an update on Tuesday.
- Where
- Off the coast of Oman, in the wider Strait of Hormuz region.
- Why
- The cause is disputed: India described the event as an attack, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the tanker hit naval mines after taking a prohibited route.
India’s account
Iran’s account
What happened to the vessel
India’s account
India’s Ministry of External Affairs referred to the incident as an attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off Oman.
Iran’s account
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the tanker exploded and caught fire after hitting naval mines.
Navigation and responsibility
India’s account
India called for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy, and the restoration of free and safe navigation and commerce.
Iran’s account
Iran said the tanker used a forbidden or illegal route south of the Strait of Hormuz despite warnings, and that the strait remained closed and under Iranian naval control.
- Indian nationals aboard
- 14
- Indian nationals rescued
- 13
- Indian seafarers missing
- 1
- Vessel
- MT El Gaia, described by Iran as the tanker El Gaia
- Incident location
- Off the coast of Oman
- Search effort
- Omani authorities and the Indian embassy in Oman are coordinating the operation
- India’s position
- Targeting commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable
- Iran’s account
- The tanker hit naval mines after using what Iran called a forbidden or illegal route south of the Strait of Hormuz