All 24 Indian Sailors Safe Following Attacks on Two Tankers in Hormuz and Romania

In a major relief for the families of Indian mariners and maritime authorities, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has confirmed that all 24 Indian citizens serving aboard two separate tankers recently targeted in international waters are safe and unharmed. The announcement follows two distinct security incidents involving vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sulina anchorage in Romania.

Security Breach in the Strait of Hormuz

The first of the two incidents occurred on October 16, when a crude oil tanker transiting through the strategic Strait of Hormuz came under fire. According to initial reports, the vessel was struck by a projectile while navigating the vital maritime corridor. At the time of the attack, there were 15 Indian nationals on board.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical “choke points” for global energy transit, and the sudden assault on the tanker triggered immediate concern among international maritime safety agencies. The Indian government maintained close contact with relevant international stakeholders to ensure the safety of the crew. Minister Sonowal confirmed that despite the potential for catastrophe, all 15 sailors on the crude oil tanker remained uninjured during the incident.

Drone Attack at Sulina Anchorage

Just two days prior, on October 14, another maritime security scare took place thousands of miles away at the Sulina anchorage in Romania. A chemical tanker stationed in the region was targeted by a drone strike. This incident caused further alarm, given the ongoing regional geopolitical tensions that have permeated the Black Sea and surrounding waterways.

There were nine Indian sailors stationed on the chemical tanker during the time of the drone strike. Fortunately, as in the case of the Strait of Hormuz, the crew members managed to escape the ordeal without any loss of life or physical injuries.

Government Assures Safety of Crew

Minister Sonowal took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to provide clarity on the situation, addressing the anxieties of the public and the families of the seafarers involved. He clarified that the 24 individuals accounted for across both incidents were in good health and had not sustained any injuries during the separate attacks.

“All 24 Indian citizens on both vessels are completely safe,” the Minister stated, confirming that the government had closely monitored the developments since the attacks occurred over the past several days.

The twin attacks underscore the increasingly volatile environment for merchant vessels operating in conflict-prone regions. For India, which contributes a significant portion of the global maritime workforce, the safety of its citizens serving on foreign-flagged vessels remains a top priority for the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. While the vessels involved may have sustained varying levels of damage, the primary success remains the preservation of human life in these high-stakes maritime zones. Authorities continue to coordinate with international shipping regulators and local maritime partners to ensure the continued safety and evacuation protocols for all Indian personnel involved in these missions.

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