An Indian national was killed on Monday after an oil tanker, MKD Vyom, was reportedly targeted in the Gulf of Oman amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Embassy of India in Oman expressed deep condolences over the incident.
“The Embassy of India expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national on board MKD Vyom. The Embassy is in close coordination with local authorities in Oman to facilitate the safe and early repatriation of our nationals on board the vessel,” the mission said, adding that all possible assistance was being extended.
According to the Oman News Agency, the oil tanker MKD Vyom, flagged under the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was attacked by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) about 52 nautical miles off the coast of the Oman.
The tanker, carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo, suffered a fire and explosion in its main engine room following the attack, resulting in the death of one Indian crew member.
Authorities said the vessel’s 21-member crew — comprising 16 Indian nationals, four Bangladeshi nationals and one Ukrainian national — was safely evacuated with assistance from the commercial vessel MV Sand, sailing under the Panama flag.
Meanwhile, the Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a vessel to monitor the damaged tanker and issue navigational warnings to ships passing through the affected maritime zone.
The incident comes amid heightened maritime security concerns in the Gulf region following rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.