Tanker hit by projectile near Strait of Hormuz was operating in ‘dark mode’
A tanker, MT El Gaia, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz while sailing with its AIS switched off, resulting in two crew members being unaccounted for. The Omani Coast Guard rescued the remaining crew, and the incident has sparked divergent claims from Iran’s IRGC Navy and the United States.
- ✓A tanker, MT El Gaia, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz while sailing with its AIS switched off, resulting in two crew members being unaccounted for.
- ✓MT El Gaia had departed its last port of call in Sohar, Oman, and was crewed by 25 nationals – 14 Indians and 11 Pakistanis – recruited through five agencies.
- ✓The Omani Coast Guard rescued the remaining crew, and the incident has sparked divergent claims from Iran’s IRGC Navy and the United States.
The 20‑year‑old tanker MT El Gaia was hit by a projectile over the weekend in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the Omani Coast Guard to board the vessel and evacuate most of its crew. The attack left two seafarers missing – third engineer Muhammad Hammad Obaida of Pakistan and oiler Sumit Kumar Singh of India – while the remaining 23 crew members were taken ashore.
The vessel, which carries up to 48,000 tonnes of cargo, was operating in “dark mode” with its Automatic Identification System disabled, and its exact coordinates were unavailable at the time of the strike. MT El Gaia had departed its last port of call in Sohar, Oman, and was crewed by 25 nationals – 14 Indians and 11 Pakistanis – recruited through five agencies. Obaida, a Pakistani who joined on 7 September 2026, and Singh, an Indian who signed on 25 June 2026 after a call at Dahej, Gujarat, were on watch in the engine room when it was damaged.
The incident underscores heightened risks to commercial shipping in the strategically vital waterway. While the Indian government has refrained from assigning blame, Iran’s IRGC Navy alleges the tanker struck naval mines on an “illegal” southern route, a claim contested by the United States, which says the ship was hit first by a missile and then a drone. The missing crew members’ families and the broader maritime community are watching closely as investigations continue.
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | INDIA |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 15 September 2026 |