Drone attack on tanker off Muscat kills crew member

2026-03-02 - 16:47

Muscat – An oil tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands was struck by a drone boat on Monday in waters off Muscat, triggering a fire and leaving one crew member dead. The vessel, identified as MKD VYOM, was sailing approximately 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat when it was targeted. The tanker was carrying 59,463 tonnes of cargo at the time of the strike. The attack caused a powerful explosion in the main engine room, resulting in the death of an Indian national serving on board. In coordination with the Maritime Security Centre, authorities mounted a swift rescue operation, successfully evacuating the remaining 21 crew members. The survivors – 16 Indian nationals, four Bangladeshis and one Ukrainian – were transferred to the Panamanian-flagged commercial vessel MV SAND. At the time of reporting, a Royal Navy of Oman ship was monitoring the damaged tanker and issuing navigational instructions to vessels transiting the affected maritime zone to ensure safety. GCC meeting On Sunday evening, Oman participated in the 50th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council, held via videoconference, with the attendance of foreign ministers of GCC member states and the Secretary-General of the council. At the meeting, H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, reaffirmed Oman’s solidarity with fellow GCC states regarding measures taken to safeguard their security and stability. He emphasised the need for sustained collective action to stop the ongoing war in the region, address its root cause and grave repercussions, and intensify diplomatic engagement and communication efforts. The council expressed its unequivocal rejection and strongest condemnation of the attacks targeting GCC states and Jordan. It reiterated that the GCC countries have consistently advocated dialogue, negotiation and peaceful resolution of disputes with Iran, commending the constructive role played by Oman in this regard. It further stressed the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities to restore security, peace and stability across the region.