Five Indian nationals were safely brought ashore after a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker was struck by a projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Embassy of India in Oman.

The embassy said it coordinated the rescue operation for the five Indians aboard MT Kazimah-III following the incident. All five were evacuated safely and transferred ashore without reported injuries.

Indian officials thanked the Omani authorities for their assistance and continued support during the rescue effort.

MT Kazimah-III, a crude oil tanker sailing under the Kuwaiti flag, was reportedly en route to Lomé, Togo, when the projectile struck the vessel in one of the world's most strategically significant shipping corridors.

The incident comes amid ongoing security concerns across key maritime routes, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea, where commercial vessels and merchant seafarers have increasingly faced threats from regional conflicts and attacks.

India has been closely monitoring the safety of its maritime workforce in the Gulf region. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently serving on commercial ships operating in the area.

Government officials have also stated that 12 cargo vessels linked to India are presently operating in the Persian Gulf. These include six India-flagged commercial ships and six foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo bound for India, with approximately 163 Indian seafarers on board.

The Ministry of Shipping, working alongside Indian diplomatic missions and local stakeholders, continues to track vessel movements and oversee the welfare of Indian crews operating in the region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently highlighted growing concerns over attacks on commercial shipping during his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He described the targeting of merchant vessels and seafarers across the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea regions as unacceptable, noting that Indian and foreign seafarers had lost their lives in recent incidents.

Jaishankar also said India had joined Liberia and 23 partner countries in an international coalition aimed at strengthening support for maritime security and safeguarding global commercial shipping routes.

He further urged restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf, stressing the importance of protecting civilian mariners, maintaining uninterrupted energy supplies and ensuring the smooth flow of global trade through vital sea lanes.

ANI