Two Indian sailors missing after drone strike on ship in Strait of Hormuz
Two Indian sailors are missing after a drone hit MT Petro Dolphin in the Strait of Hormuz. India has strongly condemned the attacks on two ships carrying 22 Indians
PTC Web Desk: Two merchant ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Together, they had 22 Indian crew members on board. India has strongly condemned the attacks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared the details on Monday. The attacks took place on October 11.
The first ship was MT Petro Dolphin. It was hit by a drone on Sunday. There were 11 Indian sailors on board. Two of them are reported missing.The second ship was MT Valthera. It is a tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag. An unidentified projectile hit it and the ship caught fire. But all 11 Indian sailors on board are safe.
The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Muscat is watching the situation closely. It is in touch with Omani authorities. It is also talking to the ship management companies and the aim is to find the missing sailors and help the crew in every way possible.
“The safety of Indian seafarers is the top priority of the Government of India,” the ministry said.
It also raised concern over repeated attacks on merchant ships in the region. The MEA said this could make an already tense situation worse. India has asked for tensions to be reduced at once. It wants the conflict to be settled through talks and diplomacy.
The ministry said attacks on ships, sailors and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately, adding freedom of navigation must be protected under international law. Sea trade must be able to pass safely without any hurdle.
CCTV shows moment Houthi missile struck Riyadh airport as blast rips through terminal; Indian among 14 killed
Travellers, including pilgrims travelling to Islam’s two holiest cities, ran for safety after a missile struck Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. CCTV footage released by Saudi state television captured the panic and chaos following the attack.
The footage combines visuals from several parts of King Khalid International Airport shortly before the missile hit the premises. Passengers can be seen waiting to board their flights when a bright orange flash suddenly erupts, sending people running for cover. Parts of the airport roof also appear to cave in following the impact.
The attack killed at least 13 people and injured more than 380 others, including an Indian man from Hyderabad who was travelling to Medina with his family. His wife and children were also injured.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the rebels had also targeted Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco.
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