The attack on the Panamanian oil tanker On Peace (IMO 9893204) in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in 12 sailors being injured. This incident occurred on October 5, 2023, and of the 12 injured sailors, 11 were Indian. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that these sailors were transferred to the city of Khasab with the help of Omani authorities for medical treatment.
Details of the Incident and the Condition of the Sailors
The oil tanker On Peace was struck by a projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, marking one of the most serious incidents related to crew injuries in the recent wave of attacks on commercial shipping. The tanker, which had a crew of 19, caught fire in the engine room during the attack, which the crew was trying to combat.
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The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated: "The continued attacks on shipping in this region pose a deep concern for India" and called for an immediate end to these targeted attacks against commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure. India also emphasized that the security of sailors and shipping in international waters must be swiftly restored.
Consequences of Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz
This attack appears to be related to an incident reported on Monday by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), although this connection has not been officially confirmed. In UKMTO warning number 156-26, the commander of an unidentified oil tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile at 16:37 UTC on October 5. This attack also caused a fire in the tanker’s engine room.
Meanwhile, UKMTO issued another warning numbered 157-26 regarding a separate attack on October 5, in which a tanker was attacked while departing, although this incident was reported as a late occurrence and no injuries were reported.
The oil tanker On Peace is also on the blacklist of the Iranian Gulf Maritime Organization, which has warned listed vessels accused of violating Iranian Strait transit protocols and threatened that these ships may face restrictions including fines, detention, or confiscation.
This incident occurred amid a significant increase in attacks around the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO issued four attack warnings and one separate advisory on Monday, which included attacks on oil and LPG tankers, as well as an incident in which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ordered an incoming tanker to turn back or face attack.
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