Merchant Ship Struck by Drone Off Gujarat Coast, Indian Crew Safe

A merchant ship, the MV Chem Pluto, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru, suffered an explosion and fire in the Arabian Sea on Saturday afternoon. While no casualties have been reported, the incident, believed to be a drone strike, is raising concerns about security in the crucial shipping lane. The vessel, located around 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat, has 20 Indian crew members on board. Indian authorities have responded swiftly, dispatching the Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram, which was patrolling the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, to assist. Additionally, the Coast Guard has notified other ships in the vicinity to offer any possible support.

This incident comes just days after the Indian Navy successfully evacuated an injured sailor from a hijacked cargo ship in the same region. These events highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities and security challenges faced by maritime traffic in the Arabian Sea.

A merchant ship attacked in the Arabian Sea, Indian crew safe

A dangerous incident took place in the Arabian Sea on Saturday afternoon when MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship sailing from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru, suffered an explosion and fire. Although all 20 Indian crew members are said to be safe, the attack is believed to have been carried out by a drone, raising concerns over security in this vital shipping route.