Kochi: The Indian Navy has successfully completed a highly complex and high-risk operation involving the recovery and safe disposal of an unexploded missile warhead discovered aboard the crude oil tanker MT Olympic Life.
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, carrying no Indian nationals on board, was en route from Fujairah, UAE, to Kochi when it reported an explosion in its hull while sailing off the coast of Oman on 26 May 2026. Despite the incident, the vessel continued its voyage towards Kochi and subsequently reported the presence of an unexploded ordnance onboard.
Following the receipt of information through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the Indian Navy launched a coordinated response. The Southern Naval Command, based in Kochi, deployed a specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to conduct a detailed assessment of the situation.
The EOD team confirmed that a projectile had penetrated the vessel’s hull, passed through multiple structural compartments, and eventually became lodged inside a fuel tank. Given the significant risks associated with the presence of an unexploded missile warhead within a fuel storage compartment, the team adopted a carefully planned and phased approach to ensure the safety of the vessel, its crew, and the surrounding port infrastructure.
After completing all prescribed safety procedures, the EOD specialists employed advanced diagnostic techniques to identify and isolate the detonation mechanism. The team then successfully extracted the warhead along with the associated debris without incident.
The recovered ordnance has since been transported to a secure facility for safe stowage and detailed examination.
The meticulously executed operation underscores the Indian Navy’s proficiency in explosive ordnance disposal, its technical expertise, and its ability to coordinate effectively with multiple agencies in managing complex maritime contingencies.
The Navy’s swift response to an emergency at sea, regardless of the nationality of the crew or the ownership of the vessel, further reinforces its role as a responsible maritime force committed to global maritime safety and as a trusted and preferred security partner in the region.
