Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Mar 2: India on Monday reported its first casualty linked to the ongoing Iran conflict after an oil tanker was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, resulting in the death of an Indian crew member.
The vessel, identified as MKD VYOM and flagged to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was reportedly struck by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) around 52 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. According to the Oman News Agency, the attack caused a fire and explosion in the ship’s main engine room, leading to the fatality. The tanker was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo at the time of the incident.
In a statement posted on X, the Embassy of India in Oman expressed deep condolences over the death and said it is coordinating closely with Omani authorities to ensure the safe and early repatriation of the remaining Indian nationals on board. The embassy reiterated its commitment to extending all possible assistance.
The 21-member crew comprised 16 Indians, four Bangladeshis and one Ukrainian national. Following the strike, the crew was evacuated with the assistance of the commercial vessel MV SAND, sailing under the Panamanian flag. A ship from the Royal Navy of Oman has since been monitoring the damaged tanker and issuing navigational advisories to other vessels transiting the area.
Amid rising regional tensions, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held telephone conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the military escalation and its implications for regional security. The discussions underscored the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further escalation and to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.
Separately, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi participated virtually in the 15th extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. During the meeting, Albusaidi reaffirmed Oman’s solidarity with fellow GCC states and emphasised the importance of collective diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict and mitigate its broader repercussions on regional stability.