Oil tanker capsizes off Oman Coast, 13 Indians missing
MUSCAT: An oil tanker, ‘Prestige Falcon’, carrying 16 crew members, including 13 Indians and 3 Sri Lankans, has capsized off the coast of Oman, leaving all crew members missing.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Comoros-flagged vessel was heading to Yemen’s Aden Port when it sank 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah near the Omani port of Duqm.
Oman’s maritime security center confirmed the incident and reported that the oil tanker remains “submerged and inverted”. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to find the missing crew members. The vessel, built in 2007, is a 117-meter-long oil products tanker, typically used for short voyages.
The incident occurred near Duqm Port, a major hub for Oman’s oil and gas mining projects, and a significant industrial zone that includes a major oil refinery. The cause of the capsizing is yet to be determined, and it is unclear whether oil or oil products are leaking into the sea.
New Delhi has taken cognizance of the incident and is closely monitoring the situation. The Indian government is working closely with Omani authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the missing crew members.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Indian sailors.
