The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued 24 Indian crew members from the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex after it was hit by a US missile off Oman's coast. According to the Indian Coast Guard, MRCC Mumbai received information about the missile attack at 2:20 PM (IST) on Monday and immediately established communication with the Oman Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC) to monitor the situation. A Royal Air Force of Oman helicopter took off from Masirah Island at about 3:25 PM and reached Marivex's location over 20 minutes later, with the swift response ensuring the safe rescue of all Indian crew members by Omani military helicopters.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed on Wednesday that it has learnt of an incident involving a vessel off the coast of Oman and is closely monitoring the situation. According to the Indian mission's post on X, the embassy is in close touch with local authorities on the issue without disclosing any specific details. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported receiving a report of an incident 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar in Oman, which lies near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. An audio clip has surfaced from a distress call by a crew member, urging authorities to "please help" as the tanker was on fire and sinking, with one crew member stating "Total all crew Indian. 24 crew, all crew Indian. Please help quickly, we need immediate help."
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that an F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with US force directions. The US confirmed its forces disabled the unladen oil tanker after the vessel violated the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port. MT Marivex had reportedly made four attempts to evade the US blockade, turning away after warnings on three occasions before the final missile strike. The CENTCOM reported that American forces have disabled seven non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.
The vessel incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, with the US launching airstrikes against Iran, which retaliated by firing missiles at Gulf countries. According to reports, these developments have contributed to an escalation of security concerns in the region, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a critical shipping route for global oil supplies. Iran effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway when the war broke out on February 28, with the US then announcing its blockade of Iranian ports after peace talks in Pakistan failed to achieve a breakthrough in April. The successful rescue operation underscores the effectiveness of international maritime cooperation and the Indian Coast Guard's commitment to safeguarding Indian seafarers.
