Five Indians Rescued After Kuwait-Flagged Tanker Struck in Strait of Hormuz

Five Indian nationals have been safely rescued from the Kuwait-flagged crude tanker MT Kazimah III after it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian embassy in Oman said on Friday.

How the rescue unfolded

The Embassy of India in Muscat said it coordinated the rescue of the five seafarers from the stricken vessel and confirmed all of them had been shifted ashore safely. It thanked the Omani authorities for their support and assistance during the operation.

“Earlier today, the Mission coordinated rescue of five Indian nationals on board the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III, struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All 5 Indian nationals have been shifted ashore safely,” the embassy said in a statement.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs separately confirmed the rescue on Saturday, saying: “We remain committed to the safety, security and welfare of our seafarers abroad.”

What happened to the vessel

The MT Kazimah III, a Kuwaiti-flagged crude oil tanker, was struck by an unknown projectile while sailing through the strategic waterway toward the port of Lome in Togo, according to shipping data. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that a crude oil tanker had been hit about four nautical miles east of Oman, adding that authorities were assessing the incident and that no immediate environmental impact had been reported.

The 317,250-deadweight-tonne vessel is operated by the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike, and the identity of whoever fired the projectile has not been established.

MT Kazimah III: sixth vessel hit in a week

The attack on the MT Kazimah III is part of a sharp escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime reports say six vessels have now been struck in the waterway within a single week, a pattern that has pushed shipowners, insurers and navies to treat every Gulf transit as an active security event.

Masters transiting Hormuz are being advised to treat projectile reports as navigation and security emergencies rather than background geopolitical noise, according to maritime analysts.

India races to protect its seafarers

The rescue comes as New Delhi steps up efforts to monitor the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in the Gulf. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this week that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers were working on commercial vessels operating in the region, including about 163 on 12 active cargo ships in the Persian Gulf.

The incident is the second in weeks to put Indian crew in danger. Last month, one Indian seafarer was killed and 19 others rescued after an attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao off the east coast of Oman. The foreign ministry strongly condemned that attack and said continuing strikes on commercial shipping were deeply worrisome.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers completely unacceptable and noted that India has joined an international coalition, led by Liberia with 23 partners, to defend trade routes and mobilise global opinion.

FAQs

What is the MT Kazimah III?

It is a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker of 317,250 deadweight tonnes operated by the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company. It was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz toward Lome in Togo.

How were the five Indians rescued?

The Indian embassy in Muscat coordinated the rescue with Omani authorities. All five nationals were brought ashore safely, and the embassy thanked Oman for its continued support.

Who attacked the tanker?

The identity of the party responsible has not been established. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre confirmed the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile and said authorities were investigating.

How many vessels have been hit in Hormuz recently?

Maritime reports say six vessels have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz within a single week, marking a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in the region.