Oman Coordinates Rescue of 14 Indian Sailors After Virat 1 Engine Failure: Embassy
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
New Delhi, June 1: All 14 Indian crew members were safely evacuated from an Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel Virat 1 off the Oman coast after it faced an engine failure on Sunday, said the Embassy of India in Muscat. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region.
“Rescue operation involving Indian Flagged MSV Virat 1 has been successfully completed. All 14 crew members have been rescued and are presently onboard Jabal Ali 9 heading to Mumbai. The crew members are safe and in good health,” the mission said in a post on X.
“It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a life raft. Rescue operation is presently underway through ships in vicinity, under coordination of Omani authorities,” the Indian Embassy said in a social media post.
Middle East Tensions
The coast of Oman saw rising tensions last week after three commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members were reportedly targeted in US military strikes. The incidents raised serious concerns about the safety of seafarers working in one of the world's busiest shipping routes. In one of the attacks, three crew members lost their lives.
In response, India on Friday summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time within a week to convey its strong protest. Indian officials described the American military strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members as “lethal and deadly” and said such actions were unacceptable.
India also expressed concern that attacks on commercial ships threaten the safety and security of international maritime trade. Officials warned that incidents of this nature could undermine stability in the region and put civilian sailors at risk. New Delhi stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation and ensure that commercial shipping routes remain safe for all nations.
