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Muscat: A major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Oman on Sunday after a dhow carrying 14 Indian nationals began sinking, sources said.
The distress situation unfolded around 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd in the morning hours of June 14.
According to sources, the US Navy alerted coastal authorities after receiving information that the vessel was in danger, triggering an emergency response operation.
A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft was deployed and dropped a life raft near the sinking vessel while closely monitoring the evacuation of those onboard. Assistance was also coordinated from a nearby merchant ship, MV Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel.
Following the coordinated efforts, all crew members reportedly moved onto the life raft after the dhow began sinking. The exact cause of the incident is not yet known.
The Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed the development, stating: “The Mission has learnt of an incident involving an Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel Virat 1, off the coast of Oman, reportedly embarked with 14 Indian crew. Search and Rescue is being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in vicinity of the incident.”
The incident took place in a strategically sensitive maritime region near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that has witnessed periodic disruptions due to regional tensions.
Authorities said rescue and coordination efforts are continuing in collaboration with Omani officials to ensure the safety of the crew.
