“We’ve been hit, there’s a fire, the ship is sinking…” – Indian crew’s SOS call after US missile attack

New Delhi: “Sir, this is the motor tanker Marivex. The ship is on fire and sinking. Please help us.” This voice of an Indian sailor stranded at sea off the coast of Oman has now become a topic of discussion on social media. The lives of 24 Indians aboard the oil tanker MT Marivex were put at risk following a US missile attack. A missile struck the ship’s engine room, sparking a fire and tearing a large hole in the vessel.

In the SOS call sent from the ship during this crisis, a crew member is heard repeatedly pleading for help. He says, “We have been attacked by the US Navy. A missile hit our engine room. There is a large hole below. The ship is on fire. Please send help quickly. All 24 of us crew members are Indian.”

The incident occurred on Monday near the coast of Masirah, Oman. The US military targeted the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Marivex. The US alleged that the ship was heading towards an Iranian port and had violated a US blockade.

Upon receiving news of the incident, the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai swung into action. After receiving the information around 2:20 PM, the MRCC immediately contacted the Oman Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC) and began monitoring the entire operation.

Subsequently, the Royal Air Force of Oman launched a rescue operation. A helicopter took off from the Masirah Island airbase and headed towards the tanker. About 20 minutes later, the helicopter reached the ship, and all 24 stranded Indian sailors were safely rescued.

Providing details of the operation, the Indian Coast Guard stated that the lives of all Indian citizens were saved through coordination between India and Oman. The Coast Guard stated that the safety of Indian citizens in the Indian Ocean region is its top priority.

Meanwhile, US Central Command confirmed the attack, stating that action was taken to stop the vessel. According to the US statement, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet deployed from the USS Abraham Lincoln carried out a precision strike on the vessel’s engine and steering sections. The US claims that the vessel had been warned multiple times but failed to comply with instructions.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs also confirmed the incident. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that all 24 Indian nationals on board are safe. Expressing gratitude to the Omani government, he added that the Indian Embassy is in constant contact with the seafarers and is providing all possible assistance.