Indian Cargo Ship Sinks After Drone Strike Near Oman, What Caused Sinking Of Indian Cargo Ship Haji Ali?

May 14, 2026

Ahmedabad : Haji Ali, a cargo ship from Gujarat, sank off the coast of Oman after a suspected drone strike, with all 14 Indian crew members rescued safely by Omani authorities. The vessel, registered at Salaya Port in Devbhoomi Dwarka district, was sailing from Somalia to Sharjah carrying livestock when the incident occurred early Wednesday.

The impact triggered a fire on board, causing the vessel to lose stability before eventually sinking into the sea. The crew acted quickly after the strike. As flames spread through the ship, the 14 sailors — including one tandel and 13 crew members — sent out a distress signal and evacuated into lifeboats. The Oman Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and brought all crew members safely to Deeba port. Ship owner Sultan Ahmed Sanghar later confirmed that all those on board were safe.

The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” it said. Several livestock animals being transported on the vessel were reportedly washed away after the ship sank into the sea. The MEA confirmed that all 14 Indian sailors rescued from the sunken vessel were safe. “All Indian crew on board are safe, and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” it said.

The MEA statement did not identify the party responsible for the strike, and Omani authorities are investigating the incident. The Indian Sailing Vessels Association said all sailors were safe, and their documents had been secured. General Secretary Adam Bhaya urged the Indian government to facilitate the crew’s return at the earliest and intensify diplomatic engagement to ensure their safe passage home.

The sinking of Haji Ali marks the second such incident involving a Gujarat-linked vessel in less than a week. Earlier, another vessel from Salaya, Al Faiz Noor Suleimani-1, reportedly sank in the Strait of Hormuz after being caught in crossfire linked to the ongoing regional conflict. The two incidents have raised alarm among ship operators and traders in Gujarat’s traditional maritime sector, many of whom rely on routes through the Gulf for cargo transport.