Two Indian Seafarers Missing After Oman Tanker Attack: Families Cling to Hope as Search Continues

Every passing hour brings fresh anguish for the families of Amit Singh and Bir Bahadur Yadav, two Indian seafarers who remain missing after the oil tanker MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone at Sohar Anchorage off Oman on October 11.

For Amit Singh’s family, the wait has become a desperate vigil of prayers, hope and uncertainty. His family has not given up. They continue to pray for his safe return, holding on to the hope that the young seafarer will somehow make it home.

Bir Bahadur Yadav’s family is facing the same agonising uncertainty. Both men remain unaccounted for following the attack on the vessel, which has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers working in waters exposed to escalating regional hostilities.

The question haunting both families is painfully simple: Are their loved ones safe, and when will they know what happened to them?

Nine Crew Members Rescued, Two Still Missing

The drone attack on MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged commercial tanker, left two Indian crew members missing. Nine other Indian seafarers were reported to have been rescued and were safe, according to news reports citing official statements.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the region and stressed that the safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority. The Indian Embassy in Muscat has been in contact with the concerned authorities and is coordinating efforts to locate the missing men and assist the affected crew and their families.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has also sought an urgent update on the missing seafarers, calling for confirmation of their status and comprehensive support for their families.

Behind the Headlines Are Two Families Waiting

For the families of missing seafarers, a maritime incident does not end when a rescue operation is reported or an official statement is issued. The uncertainty continues at home, where every phone call carries the possibility of life-changing news.

Amit Singh’s family is still praying for a message that could end its ordeal. The family’s wait is a reminder that behind every missing-person report is a human life, a home and a circle of loved ones struggling to cope with the unknown.

Bir Bahadur Yadav’s loved ones, too, deserve timely and clear information about the search and rescue efforts.

Their anguish demands more than expressions of concern. It calls for sustained search operations, regular and transparent updates, and meaningful assistance to the families while the two men remain missing.

Search Efforts and Accountability Must Remain a Priority

The immediate priority is to establish the whereabouts of Amit Singh and Bir Bahadur Yadav. The authorities concerned, Omani agencies and the vessel’s management must continue coordinating their efforts and provide the families with credible updates.

Any questions about the circumstances of the evacuation, the response to the attack or the search for the missing crew must be examined on the basis of verified evidence. Above all, the search for the two seafarers must not lose urgency as the days pass.

Indian seafarers play a vital role in keeping international trade and energy supplies moving, often working far from their homes in challenging and potentially dangerous conditions. Their safety cannot be treated as a secondary concern when commercial shipping comes under attack.

They Are Still Waiting

At this moment, Amit Singh and Bir Bahadur Yadav are not merely two names in a report about a drone strike. They are two Indian citizens whose families desperately want them back.

Amit’s family continues to pray. Bir Bahadur’s family continues to wait. Both deserve answers, support and every possible effort to bring the search to a resolution.

If we can hear their fear and feel their pain, we must stand with these families. They are still waiting for news that the men they love are safe.

Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) Appeal

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has appealed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a fast-track mechanism for the repatriation of mortal remains of Indian seafarers who die overseas. In a letter dated October 16, 2026, General Secretary Manoj Yadav highlighted the prolonged suffering of bereaved families, citing the cases of Sumit Singh, reportedly killed aboard MT T. Golai in Oman on September 13, and Atul Jaishwal, who died in an accident aboard MV Jag Akshay in China on September 16. According to the union, their mortal remains had not reached their families even 33 days and 30 days, respectively, after their deaths.

The union has urged the IMO to introduce clear timelines, coordinated assistance from flag States, port States and shipowners, and dignified handling of mortal remains during post-mortem procedures. FSUI has also raised concerns over reported suicides aboard ships, calling for coordinated action by the international maritime body and its member States. The appeal comes amid renewed concerns over Indian seafarers’ safety following the October 11 drone attack on MT Petro Dolphin off Oman, after which Indian crew members Amit Singh and Bir Bahadur Yadav remained missing, according to reports.