Limpet mines strike Panama‑flagged tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers in Strait of Hormuz

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all crew were safe and the vessel resumed its voyage after the fire was extinguished.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:02:16 GMT

On Oct 30, a Panama‑flagged oil tanker identified as MT LOUISE 1 was struck by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire in its engine room. The vessel was carrying 27 Indian seafarers, all of whom were reported safe, according to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.

What happened

Maritime security sources told Reuters that a small boat approached MT LOUISE 1 and attached two limpet mines to the hull before departing. The explosions caused a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabled the tanker. The crew extinguished the fire and later continued the vessel’s voyage toward its next port of call. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) placed the incident about 25 nautical miles (46 km) north‑east of Khasab, Oman, and confirmed that the crew was safe and the fire had been put out.

What the reports add

DNA India noted that the attack was the first successful use of limpet mines in the waterway since the US‑Iran war began in February, citing Reuters. New Indian Express added that the incident came a day after a Liberia‑flagged VLCC, MT ARZANAH, carrying two Indian nationals, was targeted by a projectile on Oct 29. Both outlets reported that no injuries occurred and that the Indian government was monitoring the situation.

What was said

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal told DNA India that all 27 Indian seafarers were safe and that the government was coordinating with ship management companies to ensure their wellbeing. He also confirmed on X that the earlier attack on MT ARZANAH on Oct 29 had similarly left its Indian crew unharmed. New Indian Express quoted Sonowal as saying the government was closely monitoring the incident and that the crew had successfully controlled the fire.

How it came about

The incident follows a series of maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz reported by Felo News, including claims of three oil tankers hit by mines on Oct 29 (Iran says three oil tankers hit mines while exiting Strait of Hormuz) and earlier reports of seven tankers damaged on Oct 22 (Seven oil tankers damaged in Hormuz overnight). Those earlier reports described Iranian Revolutionary Guard accusations of mines and projectile attacks, while the UKMTO had not confirmed those incidents. The current limpet‑mine attack marks the first confirmed use of this weapon type in the waterway since the conflict escalated in February.

Key facts

MT LOUISE 1 was hit by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Oct 30, 2026. (dnaindia.com)
The tanker was carrying 27 Indian seafarers, all of whom were reported safe. (newindianexpress.com)
A small boat attached two limpet mines to the vessel’s hull, causing a fire in the engine room. (dnaindia.com)
UKMTO located the incident about 25 nautical miles north‑east of Khasab, Oman. (newindianexpress.com)
The incident follows a projectile attack on MT ARZANAH on Oct 29, which also left its Indian crew unharmed. (dnaindia.com)

Timeline

2026-10-22 — Iran said seven oil tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz.
2026-10-29 — Iran claimed three oil tankers were hit by mines while exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
2026-10-30 — Limpet mines struck Panama‑flagged MT LOUISE 1 carrying 27 Indian seafarers.