The Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Mumbai received information regarding a fire on board MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship carrying 20 Indian and 1 Vietnamese crew members, which was reportedly attacked by a suspected drone strike.
The vessel’s agent confirmed no loss of life and assured all necessary assistance. It was also reported that the crew had successfully extinguished the fire.
A chemical tanker operating in the Indian Ocean was targeted by an Iranian attack drone on Saturday, according to a statement from a U.S. Department of Defense official. The U.S. has attributed responsibility to Iran, marking the seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021.
“The motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged vessel owned by a Japanese company and operated by a Netherlands-based entity, was struck at approximately 10 a.m. local time (6 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time) today in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran,” the official stated.
In response, the Indian Coast Guard dispatched the Offshore Patrol Vessel Vikram and the Coast Guard Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to assist Chem Pluto. The Coast Guard Dornier aircraft conducted area reconnaissance and established communication with Chem Pluto.
The tanker is being escorted by the Indian Coast Guard and is expected to enter the port of Mumbai on Dec. 25.