Indian crew member killed, eight injured after missiles strike UAE tankers near Strait of Hormuz

An Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured after two United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil tankers were struck by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred as regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, affecting Gulf shipping routes.

The ministry stated in a post on X that the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted while transiting the southern shipping lane of the strait, inside Omani territorial waters. The deceased Indian national was serving aboard the Mombasa. Among the eight wounded, four suffered serious injuries; six of the injured were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian nationals.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and attacks in the region have raised concerns about the safety of commercial vessels. The UAE has not specified the exact type of missiles used, but reports indicate Iranian cruise missiles were involved. No group has claimed responsibility, and investigations are ongoing.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed condolences and confirmed that it is in touch with UAE authorities to provide assistance to the affected crew members. The incident underscores the broader geopolitical friction in the Middle East, where recent confrontations between the US, Israel, and Iran have led to increased military activity in the region.