Tanker Carrying 27 Indians Seafarers Hit By Magnetic Explosive Mines In Strait Of Hormuz

A tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers was hit by limpet (magnetic explosive) mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. A small boat attached two limpet mines to the hull of a tanker, causing a fire in its engine room. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has confirmed the development in an X post, saying all Indians on the tanker are safe.

He said a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on October 30. The Union Minister also informed that another tanker, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, was attacked.

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ⚠️ On Oct 29, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, and on Oct 30, Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. All 29 Indian seafarers across both vessels are completely safe with no injuries. We are continuously monitoring the situations & coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of our crew.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 30, 2026

All Indians Are Safe In Two Attacks: Union Minister

All 29 Indian seafarers across both vessels are completely safe with no injuries, Sonowal said, adding that the authorities are continuously monitoring the situations and coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and well-being of the crew.

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"IMPORTANT UPDATE: On Oct 29, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, and on Oct 30, Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. All 29 Indian seafarers across both vessels are completely safe with no injuries. We are continuously monitoring the situations & coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and well-being of our crew," his post read.

First Of Its Kind Attack In Hormuz

This was the first successful use of such explosives in the waterway since the US war with Iran began in February, marking a new phase of maritime warfare, news agency Reuters reported. The development triggered a fear of another round of war using limpet mines to disrupt the crucial global energy trade route, which serves roughly 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the world's seaborne crude oil trade (around 15 to 20 million barrels per day) and about 20% of global liquefied natural gas.

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The crew was safe, there was no environmental impact, and the fire had been extinguished, the British navy agency United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in an advisory note, adding that the vessel was continuing to its next ⁠port of call.

Earlier on October 22, seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines. 

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Iran still asserts control over the waterway, a central point of leverage in any talks with the US over the war. October has had the most reported attacks on commercial shipping since March in the war's opening weeks, according to a British military monitor, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

(With Agencies Inputs)

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