Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. (Reuters representative image)
NEW DELHI: A Qatar-bound liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier carrying four Indian crew members and headed to Dahej in Gujarat was struck in a suspected drone attack near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to sources cited by ANI. All four Indian nationals on board are safe, officials said.According to ANI sources, the vessel, LNGC Al-Rekayyat, came under attack while transiting the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.”On 07.07.2026, while transiting in the Arabian Sea, LNGC AL REKAYYAT reportedly experienced a suspected drone attack. The incident was reported to DGCOMM by the RPSL. Initial information indicates that the vessel sustained damage, and there are no casualties or environmental damaged reported. The vessel is proceeding to Dahej, India, from Ras Laffan, Qatar. Location of Incident is Gulf of Oman (near the Strait of Hormuz). There are a total of 29 seafarers on board the vessel, out of which four (04) are Indian nationals. It was informed that all the crew members are safe. The vessel’s engine room caught fire following the strike, resulting in heavy smoke,” ANI quoted sources as saying.The vessel was carrying 29 crew members, including four Indians, and was en route from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Dahej when it was attacked. While the strike caused damage to the vessel and triggered a fire in the engine room, no casualties or environmental damage have been reported so far.The incident comes amid renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas exports.Reacting to the attack, Qatar accused Iran of targeting the vessel and termed the strike a violation of international law. “The targeting of the Qatari vessel ‘Al-Rekayyat’ while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security & safety of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supplies, & a grave & explicit violation of international law, particularly the rules guaranteeing freedom of navigation & safe passage through international waterways.We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation, & refrain from endangering global energy supplies & the resources of the countries of the region in pursuit of narrow interests.We hold it fully legally responsible for this attack & for any resulting damages & consequences,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.The attack is the latest in a series of incidents involving commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
