Gujarati sailor killed in drone or missile attack on vessel in Oman
The victim, Nahim Ajij Gandhar, was one of 14 crew members aboard a cargo vessel carrying dates near the Strait of Hormuz.
A sailor from Salaya village in Devbhumi Dwarka district was killed on November 2 when his vessel was hit by an explosive projectile near Limah in Oman, according to the Deccan Herald. The Indian-flagged cargo vessel, Al Jusufi, was transporting 900 metric tonnes of dates from Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates to Porbandar when the attack occurred.
The vessel was reportedly struck by a drone or a missile. While Nahim Ajij Gandhar was killed in the incident, the other 13 crew members on board survived.
The victim's cousin, Irfan, stated that Nahim's father, Ajijbhai, was also a sailor who died at sea during a cyclone about 20 or 21 years ago. The father's body was never recovered.
Haji Akbar Sumbhaniya, the owner of the vessel, said Nahim will be buried in Oman because the family cannot travel in time for the last rites. He noted that the visa application process is lengthy and there is no government guarantee of a quick resolution despite the emergency.
Sumbhaniya alleged that the Indian Embassy in Oman has not assisted the surviving crew members and claimed an official delayed proceedings by 24 hours. He also stated that six vessels have been destroyed since the war began in West Asia and that neither the crew, cargo, nor vessels are insured.
Sumbhaniya mentioned that the only exception was in May, when the Director General of Shipping provided Rs 10 lakh to the family of Altaf Talab Ker, who died during crossfire in the Strait of Hormuz.