The Indian Navy warship INS Teg, a key player in the ongoing rescue operation, has successfully rescued nine crew members out of 16 who went missing after a Comoros-flagged oil tanker capsized off the coast of Oman. The navy warship has been deployed for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance for the capsized oil tanker.
(Update) Breaking News:
Search and rescue operations have successfully found 10 crew members of the oil tanker Prestige Falcon, 9 found alive. Tragically, one crew member was found deceased. The search and rescue operations continue for the remaining members of the vessel's…
— مركز الأمن البحري| MARITIME SECURITY CENTRE (@OMAN_MSC) July 17, 2024
Eight of the ten members are Indians, and one is from Sri Lanka. The entire crew of MT Falcon Prestige, a Comoros-flagged oil tanker, capsized 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah near the port town of Duqn in Oman. The MV is reported to have had a total of 16 crew, including 13 Indians and 3 Sri Lankans.
The operations, carried out by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Oman Maritime Security Centre, are being conducted in extremely challenging weather conditions. The area is experiencing rough seas and strong winds, making the search for survivors a daunting task. The Indian Navy’s Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I is also assisting in the operation.
#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
The port of Duqm is located on Oman’s southwest coast, close to the Sultanate’s major oil and gas mining projects. These include a major oil refinery that forms part of Duqm’s vast industrial zone, Oman’s biggest single economic project.
The oil tanker was headed for the Yemeni port city of Aden, according to shipping website marinetraffic.com. Sources said that the capsized oil tanker transmitted a distress call around 10 pm on July 15 off the coast of Oman.
The Indian Embassy has been in constant touch with the Omani authorities. The Oman Maritime Security Centre is coordinating the search and rescue (SAR) operation, and the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the embassy, is conducting operations in the region.
LSEG’s shipping data showed that the vessel is a 117-metre-long oil products tanker built in 2007.
Team BharatShakti
