An Indian cargo vessel carrying livestock sank off the coast of Oman after being struck by a suspected drone or missile attack early Wednesday, intensifying concerns over maritime security amid escalating tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ship, identified as Haji Ali, was registered at Salaya Port in India’s Gujarat state and was travelling from Somalia to Sharjah when the incident occurred.
According to reports, the vessel was sailing near Limah off Oman’s northern coast at around 3:30 am when it was hit by an unidentified explosive object believed to be a drone or missile.
The strike reportedly triggered a fire onboard, causing the ship to lose stability before eventually sinking into the sea.
All 14 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were safely rescued by Omani authorities, officials confirmed.
The incident comes amid growing regional tensions and heightened security risks to commercial shipping routes in the Gulf following ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States.
India described the attack as “deplorable,” while concerns continue to rise over the safety of maritime traffic and civilian vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical global shipping corridors.
