Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has confirmed that all 22 Indian seafarers aboard a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker are safe following a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.
In a social media post, Mr Sonowal said, the situation was being closely monitored and that authorities were in contact with the ship management company to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian crew. The incident comes amid growing concerns over attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf region and the Black Sea.
India and Liberia have jointly called for an immediate end to such attacks. The two countries recently launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers to strengthen international cooperation and safeguard maritime trade and seafarers.
