Muscat, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : An oil tanker attack off the coast of Oman has been confirmed, prompting urgent rescue efforts for the crew. The Panama-flagged MT Al Gaiya was targeted approximately 103 nautical miles northeast of the Musandam Governorate, resulting in a fire in the engine room. The vessel is now being towed to a nearby port.
According to the Omani Maritime Security Centre, 23 crew members were rescued by a Royal Navy ship and received necessary medical assistance. However, two individuals remain missing, and search operations are ongoing. The centre is coordinating towing operations with relevant authorities.
In a media briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the attack occurred near Oman’s coast, involving a ship with 14 Indian nationals on board. Thirteen have been rescued, while one remains unaccounted for. The Indian embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and actively coordinating with local officials for the rescue operation.
Jaiswal condemned the attack, emphasizing that targeting commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable. He called for the restoration of safe navigation and commerce in the region through dialogue and diplomacy. The Ministry had previously denounced the assault on the MT Al Gaiya, reiterating the need for immediate de-escalation and peace.
Tensions in the region have raised concerns over the safety of maritime operations, prompting calls for enhanced security measures for commercial shipping.
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