New Delhi, June 8: The Indian government confirmed on Monday that the MT Maryvex vessel caught fire while carrying 24 Indian sailors south of the Strait of Hormuz. Fortunately, all crew members are reported safe.
During an inter-ministerial briefing, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MOPSW) stated that the fire was reported around 1:30 PM on Monday.
A spokesperson from the ministry said, “This is preliminary information we have received. Based on the current details, all Indian sailors are safe.”
Omesh Kumar Sharma, Director of the Shipping Department, mentioned, “We are trying to ascertain whether there was any projectile involved. As you know, the fire incident occurred at 1:30 PM.”
He added, “We are in contact with the ship’s owners and are working to uncover the truth. We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and our mission in Oman.”
The Indian Embassy in Oman posted on social media platform X, stating, “The mission is investigating a ship-related incident involving Indian sailors. We are coordinating with Omani authorities for their rescue and safety.”
The Shipping Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence to ensure the sailors’ safety. The vessel was well south of the Strait of Hormuz, had no cargo onboard, and was in ballast condition. Ballast is a technical term used across various fields to refer to the control of balance, stability, or weight.
Previously, last month, an Indian sailor lost his life, and four others were injured in a fire incident that sank a wooden boat carrying 18 Indian crew members near the Strait of Hormuz.
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