Gulf of Oman: All 24 Indian crew members aboard the tanker MT Marivex were safely rescued after a fire broke out on the vessel in the Gulf of Oman following a strike by US forces, Indian authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at around 1:30 pm local time, prompting distress calls from the crew, who reported that the tanker was on fire and taking on water. The vessel, which was reportedly unladen at the time, was carrying 24 Indian sailors.
Opesh Kumar Sharma, an official from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said preliminary reports indicated that all crew members were safe. Authorities coordinated with multiple agencies to ensure the seafarers’ security and evacuation.
According to Indian media reports, Omani authorities conducted a helicopter rescue operation, airlifting the crew from the vessel and transporting them to Masirah Island. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has significantly increased risks for commercial shipping.
Maritime traffic through the Gulf of Oman and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has faced growing disruption due to military operations and enforcement measures. The MT Marivex, sailing under the Palau flag, had previously been sanctioned by US authorities over alleged links to Iran. The tanker was reportedly operating south of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies normally pass.
The All India Seafarers Union said it received distress communications from crew members shortly after the fire erupted and remained in contact with both authorities and the sailors during the rescue effort. The union later confirmed that all crew members had been rescued safely.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India described the incident as a matter of serious concern and called for continued support for the affected seafarers and their families. In a statement released later, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had disabled an unladen oil tanker on June 8 after it allegedly violated an ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
According to CENTCOM, an F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision-guided munition targeting the vessel’s engineering and steering systems after the crew failed to comply with instructions from US forces.
The US military said the action was intended to prevent the vessel from continuing its voyage to Iran and confirmed that the tanker was no longer underway. The incident highlights the growing dangers facing commercial shipping crews operating in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors, as regional tensions continue to escalate.
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