Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 6: A 33-year-old Indian seafarer from Mumbai lost his life in a suspected missile or drone attack that triggered an explosion in the engine room of the tanker MT MKD Vyom in the Gulf of Oman on March 1.
The deceased has been identified as Dixit Solanki, a resident of Mahaveer Nagar in Kandivali West. His family is currently awaiting the arrival of his body.
The tanker, flying the Marshall Islands flag and carrying gasoline, was reportedly hit around five nautical miles off the coast of Muscat Governorate. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel-US strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions.
Following the attack, tugboats were deployed to the vessel to control and extinguish the fire that broke out on board. The ship had departed from Europe on February 8 and was en route to Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia when the attack occurred.
Originally, the Solanki family hails from Ghogla in Diu, part of the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, located near the Kathiawad coast close to the port of Veraval in Gujarat. Dixit’s father, Amritlal Solanki, is a former seaman.
Dixit had joined the vessel on December 10, 2025, after returning from leave taken following the death of his mother. He had been on board the tanker for nearly 80 days at the time of the attack.
The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) expressed grief over the seafarer’s death and assured support to Indian crew members working in the conflict-affected region.
“The NUSI stands firmly with every Indian seafarer during this ongoing war conflict in the Middle East. Your safety and rights are our top priority. You are not alone as NUSI is always with you and your families,” said Milind Kandalgaonkar, general secretary-cum-treasurer of NUSI.
He added that four Indians have reportedly died so far amid the ongoing conflict, which appears to be escalating.
Ketan Patel, Congress president of Daman and Diu, also expressed condolences. “My deepest condolences to the Solanki family of Ghogla, Diu, for the loss of their son Dixit. He was a crew member on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman during the ongoing conflict involving the United States-Israel and Iran. My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time,” he said.