All 24 Indian seafarers aboard the floating tanker MT Marivex were rescued and evacuated after a fire broke out following a strike by U.S. forces off the coast of Oman.
The vessel, flagged in Palau and already listed by U.S. authorities for alleged Iranian links, was struck by a precision munition from an F/A‑18 Super Hornet operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln. The hit disabled the ship’s engineering and steering spaces as the crew failed to comply with U.S. directives, leading to the blaze.
Indian officials say the crew sent distress signals as the tanker “caught fire and was sinking.” Omani air units lifted all 24 sailors by helicopter to Masirah Island, where they were taken under protection while authorities coordinated safety measures.
The incident underscores mounting tensions in the Gulf, where the Iran‑related blockade and U.S. enforcement actions have intensified risks to commercial shipping. Roughly one‑fifth of the world’s energy cargo flows through the Strait of Hormuz, making incidents like this a grave concern for global trade.
Both Indian seafarer unions welcomed the safe evacuation but urged continued support for crews and calls for broader protection of seafarers operating in conflict zones.
The event adds to a growing list of maritime disruptions in the region, reflecting the escalating geopolitical frictions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel.
