**Title: Indian Sailor Missing Following Attack on GFS Galaxy off Oman**
An Indian sailor is currently unaccounted for after an attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The Cyprus-flagged ship was targeted while navigating off the northern coast of Oman, coinciding with escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
The incident occurred approximately 44 nautical miles from the Musandam Governorate, as reported by Oman’s Maritime Security Center. Following the attack, the GFS Galaxy issued a distress signal, prompting immediate search and rescue operations. Of the 34 crew members aboard, 23 were successfully rescued and provided with medical assistance, while one Indian sailor remains missing.
According to a statement from India’s Foreign Ministry, out of the 11 Indian nationals on the ship, ten have been accounted for. The ministry condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to halt assaults on civilian shipping and infrastructure in the region. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about maritime safety in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
This incident is not the first involving Indian sailors in the region. In June, three Indian crew members lost their lives when US forces, enforcing a naval blockade against Iran, opened fire on their vessel, the MT Settebello. The fatalities led to increased domestic pressure on the Indian government to address the situation with the US, resulting in two formal summons of the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations had earlier reported a fire aboard the GFS Galaxy, indicating the severity of the attack. Authorities confirmed that the crew evacuated the ship and took refuge in a lifeboat.
India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed concern over the persistent attacks on commercial vessels in the region, labeling the situation as "worrisome." The ministry is actively coordinating with Omani authorities to facilitate ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing sailor.
In a broader context, the incident occurs amid renewed hostilities between the US and Iran. On Sunday, the US conducted retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets following previous assaults on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with airstrikes targeting multiple countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan, further escalating the regional tensions.
As search operations continue for the missing Indian sailor, the situation remains fluid, with international implications for maritime security in the region.