Oman has evacuated 25 people from the vessel RITI after it came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports citing Omani authorities.
The rescue follows a series of maritime security incidents near Oman’s Musandam coast, where commercial vessels have been targeted by unidentified projectiles, resulting in fires, damage and crew evacuations.
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre and Royal Navy of Oman have been leading rescue operations in the region. In a separate incident in October, a product tanker was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Gulf of Oman on October 11, prompting the evacuation of its crew. The vessel was subsequently reported drifting approximately 50 nautical miles northeast of Sohar.
Earlier, another tanker transiting outbound from the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile, causing smoke in its engine room and a loss of power. The crew was reported safe, and the vessel continued towards Fujairah with tug assistance.
In September, the Omani Navy rescued 27 crew members from the MV Cape Dao following an attack off the Musandam coast. One Indian crew member died in the incident.
The latest attack highlights growing security risks for commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. The incidents have raised concerns over crew safety, vessel operations, insurance costs and potential disruptions to maritime trade.
Details regarding the RITI vessel’s flag, cargo, route, the weapon used and the condition of those rescued have not yet been officially confirmed. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.