Boat attack
Ahmedabad: A 25-year-old sailor from Gujarat was killed after an Indian-flagged vessel carrying dates from UAE to Porbandar was struck by an unidentified aerial object near Lima Port in Oman on Monday.
He was at the steering wheel of the vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, when it was hit around 4pm local time, according to preliminary details. Haji Akbar Sumbadia, the vessel owner, said his younger brother, Jusab Aman Sumbadia, managed the vessel. It was a drone attack, and all the crew members suffered injuries,” he said.
Thirteen crew members were rescued from the vessel. The deceased, Nahim Ajij Gandhar, was from Salaya in Devbhoomi Dwarka district. “The vessel faced a frontal attack near Lima Port.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in Ahmedabad Stay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news.
The association said many crew members came from poor families and were facing emotional and financial distress. Adam Bhaya, general secretary of the Indian Sailing Vessels Association, urged the Centre, the ministry of external affairs, the Directorate General of Shipping, and the Indian embassy in Oman to coordinate assistance, repatriation of the surviving crew, and support for Gandhar’s family. Download the TOI App.
The vessel departed Hamriyah Port in UAE on Oct 31.
The Indian Sailing Vessels Association said it suspects the vessel was struck by a drone or missile while navigating in Omani waters. Sumbadia said attacks on Gujarati vessels had increased in recent weeks. He said the crew had resorted to daytime sailing after earlier attacks during night movement.
The crew abandoned the vessel and evacuated into a rescue boat. The Omani Coast Guard rescued them and took them ashore. Gandhar died while being transported to Khasab Port Hospital. He appealed to govt to intervene, saying sailors from coastal Gujarat were facing growing risks.