MEA condemns attack on GFS Galaxy off Oman, says 10 Indians rescued, 1 still missing

India on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, saying 10 of the 11 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while one Indian remains missing.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India's Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and is coordinating with the Omani authorities as search and rescue efforts continue.

The ministry also thanked Oman for its support in the rescue operation.

The statement came as tensions in West Asia continue to rise following the attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship, which the United States has blamed on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incident was followed by another round of US military strikes on Iranian targets.

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Embassy coordinating rescue efforts

"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman," the MEA said.

It added that of the 11 Indian nationals on board the ship, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national is reportedly missing.

"Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation. We thank the Omani authorities for their support," the ministry said.

The MEA did not provide further details about the identity of the missing Indian or the circumstances of the attack.

India calls for de-escalation

Expressing concern over the growing number of attacks on commercial shipping in the region, India urged all sides to reduce tensions and pursue diplomacy.

"The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," the ministry said.

India also stressed that attacks on civilian infrastructure and merchant vessels must stop.

"The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," the statement added.

Notably, in an earlier incident involving attack on merchant ship, three Indians had lost their lives.

Attack amid rising regional tensions

The attack on GFS Galaxy came amid escalating hostilities in West Asia and increasing security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest shipping routes through which roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil passes.

According to the US Central Command (Centcom), personnel from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "blatantly attacked" the Cyprus-flagged container ship while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the incident, the US military carried out another round of strikes on Iranian targets. Centcom said the operation had been authorised by US President Donald Trump and described it as a response to what it called Iran's attack on the commercial vessel.