Strait of Hormuz Attacks: Two Indian Seafarers Missing After Drone Hits MT Petro Dolphin

Summary

India has condemned attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz region on October 11. A drone struck MT Petro Dolphin at Oman’s Sohar Anchorage, leaving two of its 11 Indian crew missing, while MT Valthera caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile. All 11 Indians aboard Valthera are safe. India has renewed its call for immediate de-escalation.

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New Delhi: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the Strait of Hormuz attacks on two commercial tankers on October 11, 2026, which left two Indian seafarers missing, and called for an immediate end to hostilities targeting merchant shipping.

What happened to MT Petro Dolphin?

According to the MEA, MT Petro Dolphin was reportedly struck by a drone, and two of the 11 Indian seafarers on board are missing. Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Nicaragua-flagged tanker was attacked at Sohar Anchorage in Oman. Nine Indian crew members have been rescued and are safe.

Sonowal said the local Coast Guard is conducting search-and-rescue operations for the two missing Indians, and the government is coordinating with all relevant authorities to support the effort.

What happened to MT Valthera?

MT Valthera, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on the same day, triggering a fire on board. The MEA said all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the vessel are reported safe.

What did India say?

The MEA said the Embassy of India in Muscat is closely monitoring the situation and working with Omani authorities and the ship management companies to locate the missing seafarers and assist the Indian crew.

The ministry said the safety of Indian seafarers remains a priority and warned that recurring attacks on commercial shipping risk further destabilising an already volatile region. “Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease,” the MEA said. It called for freedom of navigation and the unimpeded flow of maritime trade through international waterways to be upheld under international law, and urged a resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

What other attacks have Indian crews faced this week?

The latest incidents follow a string of attacks involving Indian crews in recent days.

On October 9, the Panama-flagged crude tanker MT Gem No. 2, carrying 22 Indian nationals, was hit by a drone at Sharjah Anchorage; all 22 Indians on board were safe.

On October 6, the MEA condemned an attack on the tanker MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, in which 11 Indian seafarers were injured. They were evacuated to Khasab in Oman for treatment.

Indian crews have also been caught up in attacks in the Black Sea. These include MV Royad Mammadov, where two foreign seafarers were killed and three Indian crew were rescued by Romanian authorities, and the Liberia-flagged tanker Aframax Rio, whose 23 Indian crew were all rescued.

What is India doing internationally?

On September 25, India and Liberia launched the 25-nation Group of Friends on the Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers at the UN, bringing together a major seafarer-supplying nation and the world’s largest ship registry. At its inaugural meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar cited the attack on the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao in the Gulf of Oman, which killed an Indian sailor.

Why does it matter?

India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, and Indian crews are increasingly exposed as attacks spread across the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea. Repeated strikes near key chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz also raise war-risk insurance, freight and crewing costs for shipowners, with knock-on effects for energy and trade flows into India.

FAQs

Which ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz region on October 11?

The Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone, and the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was hit by an unknown projectile.

How many Indian seafarers are missing?

Two of the 11 Indian seafarers aboard MT Petro Dolphin are missing. Nine have been rescued.

Are the Indian crew on MT Valthera safe?

Yes. All 11 Indian seafarers aboard MT Valthera are reported safe.

What is India doing to help the crew?

The Embassy of India in Muscat is coordinating with Omani authorities and ship managers, and the local Coast Guard is conducting search-and-rescue operations.

What other recent attacks involved Indian seafarers?

Recent incidents include MT Gem No. 2 at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9 and MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz on October 6, along with several attacks in the Black Sea.