The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday, June 13, dismissed reports claiming that MT Liaki Freedom was attacked off the coast of Oman, stating that all crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker are safe and that reports of casualties were false.
In an official statement, the ministry said it had directly contacted the vessel’s master, who confirmed that no crew member had been injured.
“We have spoken with the Master of the vessel Liaki Freedom, who has confirmed that all crew members are safe and that the reported information is false,” the MEA said.
The clarification came after claims circulated on social media and in some media reports alleging that Indian crew members had been killed in an overnight attack on the tanker.
The MEA Fact Check unit, in a post on X, urged people to remain cautious and avoid sharing unverified information, calling the claims false and baseless.
The Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India (FSUI) also confirmed that all 22 Indian crew members aboard MT Liaki Freedom were safe. The union shared an audio communication reportedly received from the vessel, in which a crew member can be heard saying, “All OK, all OK. Negative, no attack on ship.”
The reports emerged amid growing concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Gulf following a series of incidents involving commercial vessels near Oman.
A day earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India’s concerns over recent US military actions involving civilian shipping during a conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Following the discussion, Jaishankar said India had conveyed its concerns over military operations that endangered civilian maritime traffic, adding that lethal actions against commercial shipping were unacceptable.
The latest reports came after several vessels carrying Indian crew members were involved in incidents off the Omani coast.
On Monday, June 8, the Palau-flagged oil tanker Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled during a US military operation. All crew members were rescued safely.
On Tuesday, June 9, another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, was struck, killing three Indian sailors. The incident prompted India to summon the United States Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi and formally register a protest with Washington.
On Thursday, June 11, MT Jalveer, carrying Indian sailors, was reportedly targeted near Oman’s Shinas port. Footage later released from the vessel showed a fire in the engine room, while crew members confirmed that everyone on board was safe.
Following the recent incidents, India lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States. The MEA said attacks on commercial vessels threaten the safety, security and stability of international maritime trade.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of targeting Indian-linked vessels departing the Strait of Hormuz with drones, describing the alleged attacks as “totally unacceptable”. Iran has rejected the allegation as baseless.