India condemns attack on Indian-flagged vessel off Oman as reports say the ship has sunk.

NEW DELHI, May 14 — India’s foreign ministry today condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman as “unacceptable”, as maritime security monitors reported that the ship has since sunk.

New Delhi said it had no further details on the incident or the vessel involved, nor on who may be responsible.

“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the ministry said.

It confirmed that all crew members were safe and thanked Omani authorities for their rescue, without providing additional information.

Maritime security firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the MSV Haj Ali, a cargo ship carrying 14 crew members, and said it had sunk off Limah, Oman, just south of the Strait of Hormuz, following an explosion.

The firm said the ship was transporting livestock from Berbera in Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland region to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates when a suspected drone or missile strike caused an onboard fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

India’s foreign ministry has yet to comment further on the vessel’s identity.

Shipping data platform Maritime Traffic described the MSV Haj Ali as a 54-metre wooden dhow.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key global shipping route, though disruptions and regional tensions have continued to affect maritime security and energy markets.

India reiterated that commercial shipping should not be targeted and stressed the importance of protecting civilian crews and ensuring freedom of navigation. — AFP