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New Delhi: The sinking of an Indian-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Oman has raised new concerns amid increasing tension in the maritime region of the Middle East. After the attack on the ship, a massive fire broke out and within some time it sank into the sea. The Government of India has given a strong reaction to this incident and has called it completely unacceptable. According to initial information, there is a possibility of attack on the ship by drone or missile.

The Indian Foreign Ministry condemned the incident and said that targeting merchant ships and sailors on international sea routes is a very serious matter. At the same time, the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that all the crew members present on the ship are safe.

Attack in Oman’s maritime area

According to government information, this Indian flagged ship named “Haji Ali” was a motorized cargo vessel made of wood. This ship was heading from Somalia to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. On the morning of 13 May, when the ship was passing through the territorial waters of Oman, it was attacked. As soon as the attack took place, the ship caught fire and the situation started deteriorating rapidly. It is being told that animals were being transported on the ship and it was on a normal business trip.

Increased danger near the Strait of Hormuz

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre, the incident occurred near the Limah area of ​​Oman, which is located close to the Strait of Hormuz. This sea route is considered one of the most important trade routes in the world. Through this route, large quantities of oil and commercial goods reach different countries of the world. Experts say that tension in this area has been increasing continuously for some time, due to which the danger to merchant ships has increased.

Fear of drone or missile attack

British maritime security company Vanguard, based on preliminary investigation, has expressed apprehension that the ship may have been attacked by a drone or missile. Although no organization or country has yet taken responsibility for the attack, it is not being considered as a normal accident due to the sudden fire and explosion in the ship. The Indian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying that the incidents of targeting of merchant ships and innocent sailors are extremely worrying.

All crew members safe

The matter of relief in this incident was that all the 14 crew members on board the ship were rescued safely. Indian Ministry’s Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal said that Omani authorities immediately launched a relief operation and all the sailors were safely transported to Dibba Port. The government is in constant touch with the local administration and maritime agencies.

Second major incident in a week

This is the second incident of sinking of an Indian ship near the Strait of Hormuz within a week. Earlier on May 8, an Indian flagged ship named “Al Faiz Noore-Sulaimani” was also attacked in the same area. That ship was going from Dubai to Yemen. According to reports, during that incident there was a tense situation between America and Iran and during that time the ship sank. Indian sailor Altaf Kerr died in that accident, while the rest were rescued after several hours with the help of another ship.

Increased concern about maritime security

These continuous incidents have raised serious questions on international maritime security. The security of merchant ships, especially on the sea routes of the Middle East, is now becoming a big challenge. India has made it clear that it is serious about the safety of its citizens and merchant ships and such incidents are being closely monitored.