Indian crewmember killed after drone boat hits oil tanker off Oman coast

An Indian crewmember was killed after a bomb-laden drone boat hit an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, making it the first Indian casualty since the Iran-US conflict, Indian media reported on Tuesday.

According to Oman’s state-run news agency, the attack took place in waters off Muscat, the capital of the sultanate. The vessel targeted in the incident was identified as the MKD VYOM, an oil tanker sailing under the Marshall Islands flag.

Officials said the tanker was hit by an unmanned boat carrying explosives, which caused the fatality on board. No further details about other injuries or the extent of damage to the vessel were immediately available.

The Embassy of India in Oman on Monday said it is closely coordinating with Omani authorities following the incident involving the vessel MV Skylight, as search efforts continue for missing crew members.

In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said, “The mission remains in constant touch with Omani authorities who are carrying out search operations for missing crew members following the incident involving MV Skylight. We are also coordinating with officials in Oman for the repatriation of the crew members who have been rescued from MV Skylight and will continue to render all possible assistance in the matter."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has confirmed that two of its citizens have died amid the ongoing West Asia conflict—one in the United Arab Emirates and another in Bahrain.

Authorities also said a Bangladesh-linked vessel remained stranded at Jebel Ali Port as the situation in the region continued to disrupt maritime operations.