Three Indian sailors are missing after a US-flagged tanker was hit by an unknown projectile in the Gulf of Oman late last night. The vessel, the MV Althea, was transiting through the strategic waterway when it sustained damage to its starboard side, triggering emergency protocols. Whitehall officials confirmed they are in close contact with allied naval forces, but remain tight-lipped on the cause of the strike.
The missing men were part of a 22-strong crew, mostly Indian nationals, employed by a Mumbai-based manning agency. Families back home are yet to receive official word, and are demanding answers from Delhi. The incident threatens to escalate regional tensions already simmering over Iran's shadow war with the US.
For the shipping industry, it's another stark reminder of the human cost of geopolitical brinkmanship. Sailors' unions have called for an immediate de-escalation and safe passage guarantees for merchant vessels. The missing men are named as Ramesh Kumar, 32, of Kerala; Suresh Pillai, 41, of Goa; and Vikram Singh, 28, of Gujarat.
