NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal on October 11, Sunday said that the two Indian nationals remain missing after the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. Meanwhile nine other crew members have been rescued and are safe.
In a post shared on X, Sonowal said that the search-and-rescue operations were underway by the local Coast Guard and that Indian authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to support efforts to locate the missing seafarers.
Drone Attack on Tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN at Sohar Anchorage, Oman; Two Indian Seafarers Missing
A total of 12 crew members, including 11 Indians, were on board; 10 were rescued safely, while the Coast Guard is searching for the missing seafarers.
Oman/New Delhi, October 11,… pic.twitter.com/N4eyFq46yd
— Marine Tanks (Voice of Sea) (@MarineTanksInd) October 11, 2026
“On Oct 11, tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing. Search-and-rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard. We are continuously coordinating with all relevant authorities to fully support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure every possible action is taken to safely locate our missing personnel”, Sonowal said.
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ⚠️
On Oct 11, tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage.
While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing.…
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2026
Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Oman also said it was closely monitoring the situation and remained in contact with the concerned authorities. In a post on X, the embassy said, “The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation concerning MT PETRO DOLPHIN, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker. Two of the 11 Indian seafarers onboard are reported missing. The Embassy is in close and continuous contact with the concerned authorities”.
In a separate post on X, Sonowal said all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera were safe after the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, resulting in a fire onboard. The Union Minister said the government was monitoring the situation and remained in contact with the ship management company to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew.
The incidents come amid a series of reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region as tensions in the region continue. Earlier, on October 9, the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2, carrying 22 Indian nationals, was subjected to a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage. Sonowal had said all 22 Indian seafarers on board were safe. The incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the region amid soaring West Asia conflict.
MEA condemns attack on MT Petro Dolphin; Calls for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region, including a drone attack on tanker MT Petro Dolphin that left two Indian seafarers missing and called for immediate de-escalation and resolution of the ongoing conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
In a statement issued on October 11, the MEA said that the MT Petro Dolphin was reportedly struck by a drone, while MT Valthera, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire onboard. “All 11 Indian seafarers onboard MT VALTHERA are reported to be safe”, it added.
The Ministry said that the Embassy of India in Muscat was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities and the respective ship management companies for the rescue of missing Indians and to provide all possible assistance to the Indian crew. “The safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority for the Government of India. The recurring attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply concerning and risk further aggravating an already volatile situation”, the MEA further added.
Statement on the attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/SqBo213LvT pic.twitter.com/t4zJMeZSdZ
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 11, 2026
“India reiterates the need for immediate de-escalation and a resolution to the ongoing conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease. Freedom of navigation and the safe, unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways, in accordance with international law, must be upheld”, the MEA statement reiterated.
India has also called for stronger international cooperation to protect commercial shipping and seafarers. The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, launched by India and Liberia on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, seeks to strengthen coordination among maritime stakeholders and keep the safety of commercial vessels and seafarers at the centre of global discussions.
(With Inputs from ANI)
