The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday rejected reports claiming that another Indian-crewed vessel had come under attack near the coast of Oman, saying the information was incorrect.
The clarification came amid heightened concern over the safety of Indian sailors in the Gulf region following a series of attacks on commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.
Government verifies crew safety
Per a report by News18, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government directly contacted the vessel, Liaki Freedom, to verify the reports.
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“We have spoken with the Master of the vessel Liaki Freedom, who has confirmed that all crew members are safe and that the reported information is false," Jaiswal said.
"We have spoken with the Master of the vessel Liaki Freedom, who has confirmed that all crew members are safe and that the reported information is false, says Ministry of External Affairs on reports of the vessel with Indian crew hit by military strike.
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2026
Earlier reports had suggested that the vessel, carrying Indian crew members, had been targeted by the United States off the Omani coast.
Before the MEA's clarification, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India had expressed concern after failing to establish communication with the vessel through its Very High Frequency (VHF) radio. The union, however, said it was able to track the ship's position and shared its coordinates.
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Recent attacks raise concerns
The clarification comes against the backdrop of several incidents involving Indian-crewed tankers in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz region during June 2026.
On June 10, the tanker MT Settebello was struck when US missiles hit its engine compartment. Three Indian sailors lost their lives, while 21 crew members were rescued.
A day later, MT Jalveer was attacked after a US aircraft reportedly fired two missiles into its engine room. All 20 crew members onboard were reported safe.
Earlier, on June 8, the tanker Marivex was hit by a US fighter jet, causing a fire and forcing the evacuation of the crew.
According to the US Central Command, the vessels had violated its blockade of Iranian ports and failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces.
Earlier incidents involving Iran
The region had already witnessed tensions earlier this year. In April 2026, two Indian crude oil tankers were fired upon by the Iranian navy north of Oman.
Although no casualties were reported, one cabin sustained damage and both vessels were forced to turn back before crossing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the affected ships was the Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker carrying two million barrels of Iraqi oil.
Following those incidents, India lodged a strong protest with Washington and warned Iran of consequences over the attacks.
FAQs:
What did the MEA say about the reported attack on Liaki Freedom?
The MEA said it contacted the vessel's master, who confirmed that all crew members were safe and that the reported attack was false.
Why were concerns raised about the vessel?
Concerns emerged after reports claimed the ship had come under attack and communication difficulties were reported by a seafarers' union.
