Kuwait-flagged tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz, all 21 Indian seafarers safe

What happened

On 21 October a Kuwait‑flagged oil product tanker, M/T Al Dasma, was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The impact was recorded about 11 nautical miles west of Bukha in Oman, on the southern side of the waterway. The vessel, which was carrying 21 Indian seafarers, continued to float and a fire that briefly erupted was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported and all crew members remain on board.

Official response

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident in a post on X, writing: “All 21 of our Indian crew members, along with the rest of the crew are completely safe.” He added that the government is "continuously monitoring the situation" and is in "close contact with the ship management company" to safeguard the seafarers’ wellbeing. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also tracked the strike and posted the same coordinates.

Context of recent incidents

The Hormuz episode follows a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the region. On 16 October a crude oil tanker, MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers was hit by a projectile; on 14 October the chemical tanker YARA J, with nine Indian crew, was struck by a drone off Romania; and on 11 October Indian‑flagged vessels MT Petro Dolphin and MT Valthera suffered separate assaults. In each case, Indian authorities have repeatedly urged that attacks on commercial shipping are "legally and morally indefensible" and have called for the free flow of maritime trade.

What comes next

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways says it will maintain close liaison with the ship’s owners and with international maritime agencies to assess any damage and to ensure that the crew can return home safely. While the projectile’s origin remains unknown, officials stress that Indian seafarers continue to operate under robust security protocols, reflecting the government's commitment to protect its citizens abroad and to uphold freedom of navigation in international waters.

The incident underscores the heightened risk environment in the Gulf, but also highlights the swift, coordinated response of Indian institutions to protect their maritime workforce.