Drone attack on Indian vessel sparks explosion, no casualties reported

INDIA, Dec 23: A suspected drone attack targeted a merchant vessel with 21 Indian crew members in the Arabian Sea off India's west coast, resulting in an explosion on Saturday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, according to military sources and a maritime agency.

The Indian Navy's P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, deployed after the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, confirmed the safety of the vessel and its crew, as per Indian military sources. The UKMTO described the attack by an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) on a vessel located 200 nautical miles southwest of Veraval, India, causing an explosion and fire.

Indian Navy officials reported that a maritime patrol aircraft made contact with the merchant vessel, ensuring the safety of the crew. Additionally, the Navy dispatched a frontline warship for the security of the cargo vessel, and the Indian Coast Guard diverted its ship ICGS Vikram to the vessel's location.

The vessel, reportedly transporting crude oil from a Saudi Arabian port to Mangalore port, is now en route to the nearest port. Out of the 22 crew members onboard, 21 are Indian.

The UKMTO issued a brief statement confirming the drone attack, the resulting explosion, and fire, 200 nautical miles southwest of Veraval, India. The fire has been extinguished, and there were no reported casualties. Authorities are investigating the incident, and vessels are advised to transit with caution, reporting any suspicious activity to the UKMTO.