Thirteen Indian nationals are missing after a Comoros-flagged oil tanker sunk off the coast in Oman on Tuesday evening. The maritime authorities of Oman have confirmed the incident and said that the rescue operations are underway to locate the missing sailors. Thirteen Indians were part of the 16-member crew of Prestige Falcon, which also included three Sri Lankans.
In a post on X, the Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said that the incident took place in Wilayat of Duqm. The oil tanker capsized 25 nautical miles of Ras Madrakah, the officials said.
The tanker capsized 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah in the Wilayat of Duqm, and a search and rescue operation was activated in coordination with the concerned authorities, Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X on Monday.
The Comoros-flagged vessel was on its way to Aden in Yemen, the shipping website marinetraffic.com said in a report. It also added that Prestige Falcon had started its journey from Dubai’s Hamriya Port. Duqm Port is a major hub of Oman’s major oil and gas mining projects.
Multiple reports say that the Indian Navy has also joined the rescue operations. Deploying a warship and a Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I as well, the Indian Navy is also helping the Omani authorities to look for the missing crew.
(With PTI inputs)