Five Indian seafarers rescued after Kuwaiti tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

Five Indian nationals were brought ashore safely in Oman after the Kuwait-flagged tanker they were serving on was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Indian Embassy in Oman said in a post on X that it coordinated the rescue of the five Indians aboard the MT Kazimah III. All five were shifted ashore safely. The mission thanked Omani authorities for their continued support and assistance during the operation. No injuries have been reported.

The Kazimah III is a very large crude carrier operated by the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company. It is a crude oil tanker sailing under the Kuwaiti flag, and it was en route to the port of Lome in Togo when it was hit. Reports describe the projectile as unidentified, and none of the coverage I found says who fired it or what kind of weapon it was.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments, so any attack there is closely watched by shipping companies, insurers and energy markets.

The strike is the latest in a series of incidents. Merchant shipping and seafarers have faced increased risks across the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, and several commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers have come under attack amid escalating tensions in West Asia. India has stepped up its monitoring of Indian crews in the region.

Indian seafarers make up a large share of the global merchant fleet’s crews, which is why Indian missions in the Gulf are often the first to respond when ships are attacked. Oman has played a recurring role in such rescues, with its authorities and coast guard assisting crews from damaged vessels in and around the strait.

The ship’s condition, the rest of its crew, and the origin of the projectile have not been made public.