Drone strikes ship with 21 Indians on board in Arabian Sea : Coast Guard Makes Contact

The merchant ship MV Chem Pluto caught fire in the Arabian Sea following what appears to have been a drone attack. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are approaching the ship.

According to defense officials, the merchant vessel was spotted on Saturday 217 nautical miles off the coast of Porbandar.

The merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto was in distress, so the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram, which was positioned on patrol in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, moved quickly to assist.

The nearby Indian Navy warships are also making their way towards the distressed ship, which is believed to be carrying about 20 Indian crew members who are all safe.

Defense officials claim that the ship was carrying crude oil and was sailing from a Saudi Arabian port towards Mangalore. Although the fire has apparently been put out, the vessel’s operation has been impacted.

About twenty Indian crew members are among the safe group of people. Defense officials say that all nearby ships have been notified to assist the ICGS Vikram.