A Liberia-flagged oil tanker carrying six Indian seafarers was struck by a projectile while sailing through the Persian Gulf on November 10. The incident left four crew members injured, including one Indian national, according to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
The vessel, identified as MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, was travelling from Al Ruwais to Dubai when the projectile hit it. The tanker was carrying six Indian seafarers while transiting the Persian Gulf at the time of the incident.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Sonowal confirmed the attack and provided details about the injuries sustained by the crew. According to the minister, four crew members were injured in the incident. One of them was an Indian national who suffered minor injuries.
The minister also confirmed that the injured Indian seafarer had been safely taken ashore for further medical examination. This ensured that the crew member could receive the necessary medical attention following the incident. However, the statement did not provide further details about the condition of the other three injured crew members.
The tanker was travelling from Al Ruwais to Dubai when it was hit. The incident occurred while the vessel was navigating the Persian Gulf, an important maritime region used by commercial ships transporting oil and other goods. The attack has brought attention to the safety of merchant vessels and seafarers operating in the region.
The presence of six Indian seafarers on board has also made the incident significant for India. Indian nationals work across the global maritime industry, serving on commercial vessels that travel through international shipping routes. Incidents involving ships carrying Indian crew members are therefore closely monitored by Indian authorities, particularly when crew members are injured or require medical assistance.
Sonowal's statement confirmed the number of Indian seafarers on board, the route being followed by the tanker and the injuries reported after the projectile strike. It also clarified that the injured Indian national had sustained minor injuries and had been taken ashore safely for further medical examination.
At present, the information shared by the minister does not specify the type of projectile involved, the source of the attack or the circumstances that led to the vessel being hit. Details about the extent of the damage to the tanker, the status of its voyage and the condition of the remaining injured crew members were also not included in the statement.
The incident highlights the risks faced by seafarers working on international commercial vessels. Crew members regularly travel across busy maritime routes as part of their professional responsibilities. When an incident occurs during a voyage, the safety of everyone on board becomes a priority, particularly when injuries require immediate medical attention.
For the Indian seafarer involved in this incident, being safely taken ashore was an important step in receiving further medical care. The minister's statement provided reassurance about the crew member's safe evacuation, while confirming that the person had suffered only minor injuries.
The MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY incident has once again drawn attention to maritime safety in the Persian Gulf. Further details about the attack, the vessel's condition and the status of the injured crew members may emerge through official updates. For now, the confirmed information is that four crew members were injured after the tanker was struck by a projectile, and the Indian national among them was safely taken ashore for medical examination.
