Indian Killed in Attack on MV Cape Dao Near Oman

An Indian national was killed when the merchant vessel MV Cape Dao was attacked while sailing toward India, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said Wednesday. Omani authorities evacuated the crew, and officials reported a fire aboard the ship. The cause of the attack and the weapon used have not been established in the supplied accounts. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said 27 crew members were evacuated and received medical care after the vessel was targeted about 2.5 nautical miles off the Musandam governorate. The centre said the attack caused a fire in the engine room and left one crew member dead. The Indian embassy said it was coordinating with Omani authorities and was in contact with the deceased person’s family. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said 19 of the 20 Indian seafarers aboard had been rescued and one had died. It condemned the attack and called for attacks on commercial shipping to end, as well as for safe and unimpeded navigation through international waterways. The ministry also said the embassy was coordinating with Omani authorities on the early repatriation of Indian seafarers. The reported number of Indian nationals aboard is disputed.