NEW DELHI — A vessel caught fire off the coast of Oman on Monday, with Indian authorities later announcing that all 24 Indian crew members on board were safe.
Opesh Kumar Sharma, director at India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the incident occurred at around 1.30 pm (0800GMT) aboard the MT Marivex.
“Per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe,” he said through US social media company X.
Oman is adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, currently under blockade and close to the newly flared-up hostilities between Iran and Israel.
The All India Seafarers Union said earlier it received an urgent distress communication from crew member Nilesh, who contacted the union seeking immediate assistance following the fire.
The union said 24 Indian seafarers were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. As per preliminary information, all were reported safe.
It said the explosion ripped through the ship’s engine room.
“The All India Seafarers Union stands firmly with the affected seafarers and their families during this difficult time and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” the union said in a statement on X.
The Marivex is an oil/chemical tanker sailing under the flag of Palau.
Source: Saudi Gazette