An Indian seafarer has been reported missing after the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy came under attack off the coast of Oman on Sunday, prompting a search and rescue operation involving Omani authorities and the Indian government. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals aboard the vessel had been rescued, while one crew member remained unaccounted for.
The ministry condemned the attack and said the Indian Embassy in Oman was working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and support ongoing rescue efforts. “The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the ministry said.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the strategically important Gulf region, where commercial shipping has faced increasing risks from military confrontations and maritime security incidents. The waters off Oman form part of one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors, linking the Gulf to international markets through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said its forces had fired a warning shot that struck a vessel travelling on what it described as an unauthorised route, although it did not immediately provide further details or clarify whether the vessel was the GFS Galaxy. The circumstances surrounding the attack and the fate of the missing seafarer remain under investigation.
The latest incident is expected to renew concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region, where repeated attacks and security threats have heightened risks for seafarers and disrupted global maritime trade.