OMAN: An oil tanker carrying 16 crew members, including 13 Indians and 3 Sri Lankans, has capsized and sunk off the coast of Oman, announced Oman's maritime authorities. The vessel, named 'Prestige Falcon' and flagged under Comoros, overturned approximately 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah in Duqm's Wilayat area.
Oman's Maritime Security Centre initiated a search and rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities after the incident, reported on Monday. As of Tuesday, the crew members of the ill-fated ship remain unaccounted for, with efforts ongoing to locate them.
The tanker, en route to the Yemeni port city of Aden, departed from Dubai's Hamriya port, as per data from marinetraffic.com. The maritime centre indicated that the vessel is currently submerged and inverted, though it has not confirmed if it has stabilized or if there is any leakage of oil or oil products into the surrounding sea.
According to shipping data from LSEG, the 117-meter-long oil products tanker was built in 2007 and typically operates on short coastal voyages. Omani authorities, supported by the country's state news agency, conducted a comprehensive search operation near Duqm, a crucial industrial port that hosts significant oil and gas projects, including a major refinery.
Duqm Port, situated on Oman's southwest coast, plays a pivotal role in the nation's economic landscape, serving as a hub for major industrial activities and strategic projects in the oil and gas sectors.
The incident underscores the risks involved in maritime operations and highlights ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of seafarers navigating through the region's waters. Authorities continue their dedicated efforts to ascertain the fate of the missing crew amidst the challenging conditions posed by the tanker's sinking.
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