MT Marivex fire off Oman leaves 24 Indian seafarers safe, ship reported outside Strait of Hormuz

A fire broke out on the oil tanker MT Marivex off Oman on Monday. The ship carried 24 Indian seafarers, officials said. The incident occurred as Israel and Iran traded new strikes. Authorities in India and Oman reported that all Indian crew members were safe.

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Opesh Kumar Sharma, a director in India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the fire was reported at about 1.30 pm IST. Sharma did not state what caused it. Sharma said the Madagascar-flagged tanker was empty. Sharma also said it was well outside the Strait of Hormuz.

MT Marivex fire and Indian seafarers safe

"This is the preliminary information which we have received... as per available information, all Indian seafarers are safe,\" Sharma said. \"We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our missions abroad, Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence, to ensure their safety.\"

Ship-tracking information placed MT Marivex at anchor south of Muscat. Early reports said the tanker sent a distress call. The call came after the vessel reportedly faced an attack. Those reports said the ship had been sailing towards the Omani port of Duqm.

MT Marivex incident and Embassy of India in Muscat response

\"The Mission is seized of an incident involving a ship with Indian sailors onboard. We are in touch with the Omani authorities for their rescue and safety,\" the Embassy of India in Muscat said in a post on X. The embassy later confirmed the rescue of the entire Indian crew.

\"We are thankful to the Omani authorities for their swift response and rescue of all the 24 crew members of Indian nationality, onboard MT Marivex, and ensuring their safety,\" the embassy said. Indian officials also noted the Strait of Hormuz remains a key trade route. Regional tensions have affected shipping in the area.

Israel Iran attacks and regional tensions near shipping routes

The incident followed renewed fighting between Israel and Iran. Israel on Monday hit a petrochemical facility in southwestern Iran. Israel also attacked other military targets. This came despite reports that US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid more action.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused the United States of breaking the ceasefire. It said Iran responded with missile strikes. The target was described as a similar facility in Haifa, an Israeli city. Officials continued to track the situation near Oman after the tanker fire report.

With inputs from PTI