India has thanked Oman for rescuing 24 Indian crew members from a fire-stricken tanker off the coast of Oman. The Palau-flagged vessel, MT Marivex, caught fire after being attacked by the US Navy on Monday. The tanker had been blacklisted and sanctioned by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for attempting to evade US sanctions on Iranian oil.
Details of the Incident
The MT Marivex made four attempts to bypass the US blockade of Iranian ports, according to sources. On three occasions, the vessel turned away after repeated warnings from the US Navy. The vessel was eventually hit by a missile, causing a fire that disabled the ship.
Rescue Operation
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that all 24 crew members onboard were Indian nationals and have been rescued. The Indian embassy in Oman coordinated with Omani authorities to ensure their safety. Jaiswal stated, "We thank the Oman government for their support in rescuing the crew and ensuring their safety. Our mission continues to be in touch with the seafarers."
The Indian Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received information about the missile attack at approximately 2:20 pm on Monday from a relative of a crew member. MRCC promptly contacted the Oman Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC), which initiated a rescue operation by diverting a nearby vessel and deploying two rescue helicopters to the incident area.
International Maritime Cooperation
The successful rescue highlights the effectiveness of international maritime cooperation and strong coordination between rescue authorities in the region. The Indian Coast Guard operates the MRCC, which played a key role in facilitating the rescue.
Background of the Vessel
The MT Marivex was blacklisted and sanctioned by OFAC for violating US sanctions on the sale of Iranian and Russian oil. The vessel's attempts to evade the blockade were repeatedly thwarted by the US Navy before the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel, with Israel carrying out air strikes in western and central Iran after Iran fired missiles at northern Israel. The US Navy's actions are part of broader efforts to enforce sanctions and maintain security in the region.
