Fire at Sea: Oman Air Force Rescues 24 Indian Crew Members After Tanker Attack

The evacuation follows an SOS from a Palau-flagged vessel that reported a strike on its engine room while sailing in waters off the coast of Oman.

A tense rescue operation unfolded off the Omani coast on Monday as the Oman Air Force scrambled to evacuate 24 Indian nationals from a burning tanker. The vessel, MT Marivex, was sailing from Karwar in Karnataka to Duqm in Oman when a sudden fire broke out, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The vessel, which was not carrying any cargo, was reportedly positioned well south of the Strait of Hormuz when the incident occurred.

The situation remains fluid as authorities investigate the cause of the blaze. An audio recording of an SOS call, purportedly from the crew, alleged that the vessel’s engine room was struck by a missile. Government officials in Delhi, including the Ministry of Shipping, are currently working to verify these claims and confirm whether a projectile was indeed responsible for the damage.

Coordinated Response

The safety of the crew became an immediate priority for the Indian government. Opesh Kumar Sharma, a director in the shipping ministry, confirmed that a multi-agency effort was activated, involving the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Navy, and the Indian mission in Oman. The swift intervention of the Omani authorities ensured that all 24 Indian crew members were rescued by helicopter, with videos of the operation circulating on social media shortly thereafter.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has expressed deep concern over the incident, noting the vulnerability of Indian seafarers in these volatile shipping lanes. The union has called for urgent action to ensure the security of crews and support for the families affected by the harrowing ordeal.

The Bigger Picture

This incident highlights the escalating risks for merchant vessels operating in the West Asian maritime corridor. The region has seen a steady rise in hostilities since February, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a flashpoint in the broader conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US.

For the Indian shipping sector, this is a grim reminder of the human cost of regional instability. Since the current conflict began, ten Indians have lost their lives in the region, including three seafarers killed in separate attacks on merchant vessels. As maritime security concerns mount, the government is likely to face increased pressure to bolster the safety protocols for Indian nationals working on international commercial routes. Delhi will need to tread carefully, balancing its diplomatic ties in the region with the critical necessity of protecting its citizens at sea.