Indian crew member killed after drone boat strikes oil tanker off Oman coast; first Indian casualty in US-Iran tensions

First Indian casualty in US-Iran conflict as drone boat hits tanker in Gulf of Oman

A bomb-laden drone boat struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Muscat on Monday, killing one crew member and triggering a fire, news agency AFP reported.

The state-run Oman News Agency identified the vessel as the MKD VYOM and confirmed that the deceased mariner was an Indian national. The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions across the region. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the strike.

Earlier reports had indicated that a projectile hit the tanker as it sailed off Oman’s coast. The ship’s manager, V.Ships, said the vessel was struck on March 1.

"The vessel suffered an explosion and subsequent fire after being struck by a suspected projectile while off the coast of Muscat, Oman on 1 March," V.Ships Asia said in a statement. "It is with great sadness that we confirm one crew member, who was in the engine room at the time of the incident, has died," it added.

Omani officials said the unmanned boat was carrying explosives and caused the fatal blast on board. No immediate details were available regarding additional injuries or the full extent of damage to the tanker.

Indian embassy coordinating with authorities

The Embassy of India in Oman said it is in close contact with Omani officials following a separate maritime incident involving the vessel MV Skylight.

“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," the embassy said in a statement posted on social media.

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…

— India in Oman (Embassy of India, Muscat) (@Indemb_Muscat) March 2, 2026

Wider regional impact

Separately, Bangladesh confirmed that two of its nationals have died amid the escalating West Asia conflict, one in the United Arab Emirates and another in Bahrain. Authorities also said a Bangladesh-linked vessel remains stranded at Jebel Ali Port as maritime operations in parts of the region face disruption.

The latest attack underscores growing risks to commercial shipping in critical Gulf waterways, raising concerns over maritime security and the safety of international crews operating in the region.