Indian Cargo Vessel Sinks Off Oman After Explosion, All Crew Rescued

An Indian-flagged wooden cargo vessel named the Haji Ali sank in Omani waters after a suspected drone or missile strike, India confirmed on Thursday. The dhow was struck in the early hours of Wednesday while en route to the United Arab Emirates from Somalia and carrying livestock, according to India's shipping ministry. The impact caused a fire onboard, leading to the vessel sinking.

All 14 crew members were rescued by the Omani coast guard and transported to Diba port. The vessel last reported its position off the coast of Muscat on 11 May, according to ship tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform. British maritime risk management group Vanguard suggested the explosion was likely caused by a drone or missile, while maritime security sources separately assessed that it was likely to have been a drone attack.

This incident is the second vessel lost in the region since the Iran conflict began on 28 February. The conflict has left hundreds of ships stranded and 20,000 seafarers unable to navigate the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman. At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the US-Israeli war with Iran erupted on 28 February.

The Iran war has sharply increased risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, with multiple vessels attacked or damaged since the conflict began. India last month summoned the Iranian envoy to New Delhi and flagged its deep concern over the incidents.

"The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.