Rescue Operation: 8 Indians Saved After Oil Tanker Capsizes Near Oman Coast

Nine of the sixteen crew members who went missing after the oil tanker MT Falcon Prestige capsized off the coast of Oman have been rescued, according to sources.

Among the rescued individuals, eight are Indian nationals and one is from Sri Lanka.

Photo Credit: X-@sanjoychakra

Rescue Operation: 8 Indians Saved After Oil

The entire crew of the Comoros-flagged oil tanker, which included three Sri Lankan nationals, was affected by the incident that occurred 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, near the port town of Duqm in Oman.

Duqm is strategically located on Oman's southwest coast, adjacent to major oil and gas mining projects. This region includes a significant oil refinery that forms part of Duqm's vast industrial zone, which is the Sultanate's largest economic project.

The MT Falcon Prestige was en route to the Yemeni port city of Aden, as per information from the shipping website marinetraffic.com. The vessel transmitted a distress call at approximately 10 PM on July 15, alerting authorities to its critical situation off the Omani coast.

The Indian Embassy has been in constant communication with Omani authorities regarding the situation. The search and rescue (SAR) operation is being coordinated by the Oman Maritime Security Centre, with the Indian Navy also playing a crucial role in the rescue efforts. The Indian Navy has deployed its warship INS Teg, along with the maritime surveillance aircraft P-8I, to join the Omani vessels and personnel in the SAR operations, as reported by news agency ANI.

The MT Falcon Prestige, a 117-meter-long oil products tanker built in 2007, is registered under the Comoros flag. The shipping data provided by LSEG indicated the vessel's specifications and operational history.

Authorities continue to search for the remaining seven crew members, and efforts are ongoing to understand the cause of the capsizing and to ensure the safety of maritime operations in the region. The incident underscores the importance of international cooperation in maritime safety and the swift response capabilities of naval forces in emergencies.