The Navy has successfully completed a high-risk operation to recover an unexploded missile warhead lodged inside a crude oil tanker that was sailing towards Kochi after suffering damage off the coast of Oman.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Olympic Life reported an explosion in its hull on May 26 while en route from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates to Kochi.
The vessel, which had no Indian nationals on board, later informed authorities that an unexploded ordnance was present onboard as it continued its voyage towards India. After receiving the information through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the Indian Navy launched a coordinated response. A specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi was deployed to assess the situation.
The team found that a projectile had pierced the ship’s hull, passed through several structural compartments and become lodged inside a fuel tank, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Given the risks associated with an unexploded missile warhead inside a fuel storage compartment, Navy experts adopted a phased and carefully planned approach to ensure the safety of the vessel, its crew and port facilities.
Following extensive safety procedures, the EOD team used advanced diagnostic techniques to identify and isolate the warhead’s detonation mechanism before safely extracting the missile component and associated debris.
The recovered ordnance has since been transported to a secure location for detailed examination and safe storage. The Defence Ministry said the operation demonstrated the Indian Navy’s expertise in handling complex explosive ordnance disposal missions and highlighted its ability to respond effectively to maritime emergencies.
“The Indian Navy’s prompt response, irrespective of the nationality of the crew or ownership of the vessel, reaffirms its role as a responsible maritime force dedicated to global maritime safety and a trusted security partner in the region,” the statement said.
