Thirteen of the 14 Indian crew members aboard the Panama-flagged oil tanker MT El Gaia have been rescued following an attack near the coast of Oman, while one sailor remains missing.
- Attack occurred on September 13, 2026
- Thirteen sailors brought to shore safely
- One crew member remains missing
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that
search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the Indian Embassy in Muscat coordinating closely with Omani authorities. While 13 sailors were successfully brought to shore, the
identity of the missing crew member has not been disclosed. Indian officials have not officially attributed the attack to any specific party, urging the public to rely solely on verified information rather than unconfirmed reports circulating on social media. The Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively monitoring the mission and has expressed gratitude to Omani agencies for their assistance.
This security incident follows a proposal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 12, 2026, during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. He proposed the establishment of a
'Seafarers Emergency Support Network' to enhance coordination between maritime authorities and diplomatic missions regarding distress alerts, medical assistance, and evacuation support. Families of seafarers in the region are advised to contact the Indian Embassy in Muscat for official updates. The 24/7 Community Welfare toll-free helpline is 80071234, and the Consular Wing can be reached via WhatsApp at +968 98282270. Inquiries can also be emailed to cw.muscat@mea.gov.in for welfare matters or cons.muscat@mea.gov.in for consular issues. Additionally, the Indian government's MADAD portal serves as the official platform for registering consular grievances and distress cases.
