Ship with 24 Indian seafarers hit in US Navy strike near Oman; crew safe
A merchant vessel, MT MARIVEX, carrying 24 Indian seafarers is sinking near Oman's Masirah Island after a fire incident reportedly linked to a US Navy strike.
A merchant vessel, MT MARIVEX, carrying 24 Indian seafarers onboard is sinking near Masirah Island, Oman, after it was targeted in a US Navy strike for allegedly violating the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
In a statement released on Monday, the US CENTCOM acknowledged hitting the vessel for trying to circumvent the ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
"An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces," it wrote on X.
The crew issued SOS calls following a fire incident reported on the vessel at around 1:30 pm on Monday.
The Ministry of Shipping said a fire incident occurred on MT MARIVEX at around 1:30 pm and confirmed that 24 Indian seafarers were onboard the vessel at the time of the incident.
“Based on the preliminary information received, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. They were rescued by the Omani authorities. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety,” the ministry said.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said all 24 Indian crew members had been rescued and were safe.
“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 said.
The All India Seafarers Union said it received an urgent distress communication from a crew member of MT MARIVEX after the fire incident.
According to the union, a crew member contacted it seeking immediate assistance following the incident. The Union said it stands firmly with the affected seafarers and their families and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
A merchant vessel, MT MARIVEX, carrying 24 Indian seafarers onboard is sinking near Masirah Island, Oman, after it was targeted in a US Navy strike for allegedly violating the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
In a statement released on Monday, the US CENTCOM acknowledged hitting the vessel for trying to circumvent the ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
"An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces," it wrote on X.
The crew issued SOS calls following a fire incident reported on the vessel at around 1:30 pm on Monday.
The Ministry of Shipping said a fire incident occurred on MT MARIVEX at around 1:30 pm and confirmed that 24 Indian seafarers were onboard the vessel at the time of the incident.
“Based on the preliminary information received, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. They were rescued by the Omani authorities. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety,” the ministry said.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said all 24 Indian crew members had been rescued and were safe.
“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 said.
The All India Seafarers Union said it received an urgent distress communication from a crew member of MT MARIVEX after the fire incident.
According to the union, a crew member contacted it seeking immediate assistance following the incident. The Union said it stands firmly with the affected seafarers and their families and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
