MSV Al Jusufi Attack: Indian Sailor Killed Off Oman, Toll at 23
Image: Reuters (representational photo)
One Indian sailor was killed and 13 others were rescued after a commercial vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, was attacked near Limah, Oman, on Monday evening, 2 November, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. The ship had 14 Indian nationals on board. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi that the death raises the number of Indians killed in the West Asia conflict to 23, including 15 seafarers.
Crew Being Brought Home
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is working with Omani authorities to repatriate the 13 survivors and the body of the sailor who died, the ministry said. “We are in the process of ensuring that the 13 Indian nationals who are there are repatriated back to India,” Jaiswal said. The ministry condemned the attack and repeated India’s call for immediate de-escalation and for freedom of navigation to be restored.
Toll Up From 22 to 23
The previous official figure was 22 Indians dead, including 14 seafarers, as IPB News reported earlier. Jaiswal also said five Indian nationals have been killed in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea region, and two remain missing. Those deaths are counted separately from the West Asia figure.
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A Conflict That Began in February
The West Asia conflict began in February after US and Israeli attacks on Iran. It has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed Gulf oil exporters towards bypass routes such as Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, which Houthi forces have also struck. India has said attacks on commercial ships threaten navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The ministry called the continuing attacks on shipping “deeply concerning” and urged a diplomatic solution.
The MEA has not said when the survivors will reach India or who carried out the attack.
Source: Based on reporting by The Tribune, ThePrint and Deccan Herald, quoting the MEA briefing.
Image: Reuters (representational photo).
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