India condemns twin attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea and Strait of Hormuz, with 11 Indian seafarers injured off Oman

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 condemned attacks on two commercial vessels, one in the Black Sea and another in the Strait of Hormuz. Indian seafarers were caught up in both incidents. The MEA called for an immediate end to hostilities and attacks on civilian infrastructure and seafarers.

Strait of Hormuz: MT On Peace

The Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals.

The MEA said 12 crew members were injured, including 11 Indians. The injured seafarers were evacuated and are receiving treatment at Khasab in Oman.

Black Sea: MV Royad Mammadov

Hours earlier, India condemned an attack on MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea, in which two foreign seafarers were killed and crew members were injured.

Indian and Romanian reports described the vessel as a Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo ship owned by a Turkish company and reported that it sank. The MEA said three Indian nationals on board were safe and thanked Romanian authorities for rescuing injured crew members and providing medical care.

India’s position

The MEA said the continuing incidents remain a cause of deep concern. It noted that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers now extend from the Gulf and the Red Sea to the Black Sea, with Indian seafarers among those who have lost their lives, along with seafarers from other countries.

Part of a wider pattern

The latest incidents follow other attacks involving Indian crews, including strikes on MV Cape Dove in the Gulf of Oman and the tanker El Gaya in the Strait of Hormuz.

On September 25, India and Liberia launched a Group of Friends on the Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers at the United Nations, with 25 nations participating.

India has also said it is engaged in discussions with both Russia and Ukraine on efforts to restore safe navigation for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.