Eight out of the 13 Indians who had gone missing after an oil tanker capsized off the coast of Oman on July 15, were rescued by the Indian Navy’s warship TNS Teg on July 17. A Sri-Lankan crew member was also rescued in the operation. The search and rescue operation to locate the remaining missing crew is in progress.
India Navy’s Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I is also assisting in search for survivors.
The vessel MT Falcon Prestige, boarded by 16 crew members, including 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans capsized on Sunday. It was en route to the Yemeni port city of Aden when the incident took place.
The mishap was reported by the Maritime Security Centre of Oman, managed by the Oman’s Defence Ministry. A search and rescue operation was launched by Omani authorities thereafter, in coordination with the maritime authorities to find the missing seafarers.
The vessel had transmitted a distress call on July 15 at around 10 pm off Oman’s coast.
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Earlier, the defence minsitry had posted on X that the vessel had capsized 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah near Oman’s port town of Duqn.
“Indian Navy’s mission deployed warship INS Teg, rendering SAR assistance for the capsized Oil Tanker MV Prestige Falcon, has rescued 09 (08 Indians & 01 Sri Lankan) personnel. The MV had capsized about 25 NM southeast of Ras Madrakah, Oman on 15 July 24 and SAR efforts in coordination with Oman Authorities are in progress since 16 July 24,” Indian Navy posted on X, sharing about the rescue operation.
Navy also stated that the search and rescue operation is being undertaken by the Indian and Omani assets in challenging weather conditions since the area is experiencing rough sea and strong winds.
#IndianNavy‘s mission deployed warship #INSTeg, rendering SAR assistance for the capsized Oil Tanker MV #PrestigeFalcon, has rescued 09 (08 Indians & 01 Sri Lankan) personnel.
The MV had capsized about 25 NM southeast of Ras Madrakah, #Oman on #15Jul 24 & SAR efforts in… pic.twitter.com/ExXYj6PBTN
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 17, 2024
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Oman said that it is in constant touch with the authorities concerned in Oman.
“Embassy is coordinating SAR ops with Omani authorities and Indian Navy for MT Prestige Falcon, a Comoros flagged vessel that capsized off the coast of Oman on July 15th. 9 crew including 8 Indians have been rescued today by INS Teg. Search for the remaining survivors continues.” the embassy posted on X.
The Comoros-flagged vessel that capsized is a 117-metre long oil products tanker, which was built in 2007.
ALSO READ: 13 Indians Among 16 Missing Crew of Comoros-Flagged Oil Tanker That Capsized Off Oman Coast
