All 24 crew members of the tanker MT Marivex were successfully rescued after the vessel caught fire off coast of Oman following a strike by US forces. The incident occurred on Monday,with crew sending distress signals indicating that ship was ablaze and sinking.
According to Opesh Kumar Sharma from India’s Ministry of Ports,Shipping and Waterways, the fire broke out around 1:30 PM local time. Preliminary reports confirmed that all sailors were safe, and Indian authorities coordinated efforts across various government agencies to ensure their well-being. However,the cause of the fire remains unclear.
The crew was evacuated by helicopter,operated by Omani authorities,and transported to Masirah Island. MT Marivex,which had previously faced sanctions from the US due to alleged connections with Iran, was empty at time of the incident. Media reports indicated that the tanker was located south of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy supplies.
The All India Seafarers Union reported receiving distress communications from a crew member shortly after the fire erupted and maintained contact with the crew throughout the rescue operation. The Forward Seamen's Union of India expressed serious concern over the incident, calling for prompt action to ensure crew's safety and support for their families.
US Central Command later confirmed that American forces had "disabled an unladen oil tanker" in the Gulf of Oman on June 8 after it allegedly violated an ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to reach an Iranian port. An F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering areas after crew did not comply with US directives . The statement emphasized that the Marivex would no longer be sailing to Iran.
This incident adds to growing list of maritime risks in the Gulf region, where tensions involving Iran,the US, and Israel have escalated. The situation has led to increased military activity and disruptions in shipping routes, raising concerns among maritime operators .
As international community watches closely,the safety of seafarers remains a pressing issue . The unions representing Indian sailors have called for enhanced measures to protect crews operating in these volatile waters, highlighting the need for vigilance amid rising geopolitical tensions.
