MUSCAT, Oman, June 8 — All 24 Indian crew members aboard the oil tanker MT Marivex were safely rescued by Omani authorities following a fire aboard the Madagascar-flagged vessel, according to the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
In a post on X, the embassy thanked Omani authorities for their swift response and efforts to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals.
“We are thankful to the Omani authorities for their swift response and rescue of all the 24 crew members of Indian nationality onboard MT Marivex, and ensuring their safety,” the Embassy of India in Muscat said.
The rescue operation came hours after India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed a fire incident involving the vessel south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at an interministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Opesh Kumar Sharma, director in the ministry’s Shipping Division, said the fire was reported at approximately 1:30 p.m.
“This is the preliminary information which we have received. Based on this, as per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe,” Sharma said.
He added that the ministry was coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian diplomatic missions abroad, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Defence to ensure the welfare and safety of the crew.
“We are in touch with the owners, and we are trying to ascertain the facts. We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and our mission in Oman,” Sharma said.
Responding to questions about whether the vessel had been struck by a projectile, Sharma said authorities were still working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
“So whether the ship was hit by a projectile or not, presently we are trying to get absolute information. As you are aware, the fire incident was at 1:30 today,” he said.
He noted that the vessel was operating well south of the Strait of Hormuz at the time of the incident.
“The vessel was well out of the Strait of Hormuz and well clear to the south,” Sharma said.
According to the shipping ministry, the tanker was not carrying any cargo and was sailing in ballast condition.
“It’s a Madagascar flag. There were only Indian seafarers on board,” Sharma added.
Earlier in the day, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) posted on X that the Indian crew members aboard the vessel were seeking urgent assistance off the coast of Oman.
The Embassy of India in Oman subsequently responded to the post and confirmed that it had established direct contact with the crew members aboard the vessel.
“It is informed that the embassy has established contact,” the embassy said.
Authorities continue to gather information about the cause of the fire, while all 24 crew members have been confirmed safe following the rescue operation.
About The Author
