Gujarat sailor dies in suspected drone attack near Oman coast
The family of Nahim Ajij Gandhar plans to bury the 25-year-old in Oman following the strike on the vessel Al Jusufi.
A 25-year-old sailor from Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district died following a suspected drone attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Hindu.
The vessel, Al Jusufi, was hit on November 2 off the coast of Oman near Limah. The mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) was transporting approximately 900 metric tonnes of dates from Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates to Porbandar when the incident occurred.
Akbar Ahmed Sumbhaniya, a relative of the vessel owner, said the projectile destroyed the ship and its cargo, causing losses estimated between ₹2-3 crore. He stated that Nahim Ajij Gandhar was at the steering wheel inside the cabin during the strike and sustained severe injuries to his leg and hand before passing away.
The 14 crew members on board were residents of Salaya. While 13 members were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, Gandhar's family has decided to conduct his burial at Khasab port in Oman due to delays in completing formalities.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident on X, stating the Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Oman are working with local authorities to assist the survivors and facilitate repatriation.
The Indian Sailing Vessels Association (ISVA) has since written to the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi, requesting intervention to protect traditional sailing vessels in the region.