# Maritime security threats to Indian seafarers in Persian

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-security-threats-to-indian-seafarers-in-persian
> Updated: 2026-10-02T02:34:34.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

Maritime security concerns have escalated in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, specifically impacting Indian seafarers. Following an attack on the MV Cape Dao off the coast of Oman that resulted in the death of an Indian sailor, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported that hundreds of Indian nationals were operating on commercial vessels in the region.

Subsequent incidents included an attack on the El Gaia tanker, where a crew member disappeared, and a projectile strike on the Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker MT Kazimah III. In the latter case, five Indian nationals were successfully rescued and moved ashore in Oman through coordination between the Indian Embassy in Muscat and Omani authorities. The MT Kazimah III was reportedly en route to the port of Lomé in Togo at the time of the incident.

Recent data from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs indicates that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently operating on commercial vessels in the region. This includes approximately 163 Indian crew members stationed on 12 active cargo ships, consisting of six Indian-flagged and six foreign-flagged vessels.

In response to these threats, India has established a 24-hour control room and a real-time monitoring system in coordination with the Indian Navy. Furthermore, India and Liberia have launched the ‘Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers’ at the United Nations to address the increasing frequency of maritime attacks.

## Claims

- Five Indian nationals were rescued from the MT Kazimah III after it was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The MT Kazimah III is a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker traveling toward Lomé, Togo. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Over 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently working on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf region. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- There are 163 Indian seafarers on 12 active cargo ships in the area, including six India-flagged and six foreign-flagged vessels. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The International Maritime Organization recorded at least 85 shipping incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East as of September 24. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: MT Kazimah III tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz; 5 Indians rescued

Five Indian nationals were rescued in Oman after the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising maritime security concerns in the Persian Gulf.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-nationals-rescued-after-tanker-hit-in-strait-of-hormuz

### 2026-09-29: Indian seafarers face security risks in Persian Gulf

Over 4,500 Indian seafarers are operating in the Persian Gulf region amid rising maritime security concerns and recent attacks on commercial vessels near Oman.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-seafarers-face-security-risks-in-persian-gulf

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Cite as: Maritime security threats to Indian seafarers in Persian. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-security-threats-to-indian-seafarers-in-persian