Marivex tanker disabled by U.S. strike off Oman; 24 Indian sailors rescued by Oman
24 Indian crew rescued after the Marivex tanker was disabled by a U.S. strike off Oman; Oman and India coordinated a helicopter evacuation to Masirah Island.
The Marivex tanker was disabled by a U.S. strike off the coast of Oman on Monday, and all 24 Indian crew members were rescued after sending frantic SOS messages that lasted more than two hours. The incident, which left the Palau-flagged vessel with a severe engine-room fire, prompted a coordinated response by Omani military helicopters and Indian consular officials. Authorities say the crew was taken ashore to Masirah Island and reported in stable condition following the evacuation.
SOS messages and onboard distress
Crew members aboard the Marivex sent repeated voice messages saying, “We have fire onboard, we have fire onboard. And vessel is sinking,” according to communications shared with Indian seafaring representatives. The seafarers’ union general secretary who received the messages said the first alerts arrived shortly after 2 p.m., followed by a steady stream of calls, videos and voice notes pleading for immediate assistance.
Videos supplied by crew members reportedly showed intense flames in the ship’s engine room and damage consistent with an external strike. One lifeboat was said to have been destroyed in the attack and the second was reportedly inaccessible, leaving helicopter evacuation as the only viable rescue option.
Omani military conducts helicopter evacuation
Omani military helicopters carried out the rescue operation, airlifting all 24 Indian crew members to safety on Masirah Island off Oman’s coast. Officials coordinating the evacuation said the rescued sailors were examined on arrival and received initial medical checks before being transferred to further care as needed.
Oman’s rapid response was credited by Indian officials and seafarers’ representatives, who said Omani forces acted promptly after being alerted by the Indian Embassy and maritime authorities. The embassy maintained contact with the rescued crew while consular teams worked to document the incident and assist with immediate needs.
U.S. Central Command says Marivex was ‘disabled’ for breaching blockade
U.S. Central Command issued a statement saying the Marivex had been “disabled” after allegedly violating a naval blockade of Iranian ports, asserting that U.S. forces fired into the ship’s engineering and steering spaces when the vessel failed to comply with orders. Central Command said the action was taken by a fighter jet operating from the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.
The U.S. statement also noted that since April 13, forces under Central Command had disabled multiple vessels deemed “noncompliant” with the blockade, which Washington said was intended to pressure Iran toward a settlement over regional hostilities. The Pentagon’s description framed the action as enforcement of maritime controls rather than a deliberate attack on crew.
India’s shipping ministry and diplomatic response
India’s shipping ministry confirmed it had received reports of a fire on board the Marivex beginning at about 1:30 p.m., and the foreign affairs ministry later said the crew was safe after the vessel was disabled. A ministry spokesman thanked Omani authorities for the rescue and said the Indian Embassy in Muscat had been actively engaged in the response and in providing consular assistance to the sailors.
Representatives of the seafarers’ union who received the distress messages mobilized information and alerted Indian government channels, tagging naval and diplomatic contacts to accelerate assistance. Indian authorities are continuing to liaise with Omani officials and the vessel’s owners to establish the full sequence of events and to arrange for crew welfare and repatriation.
Strategic context: Strait of Hormuz tensions and shipping risk
The incident unfolds amid heightened competition for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil and gas flows. Since a cease-fire in April, U.S. and Iranian forces have each sought to assert maritime controls, with Iran indicating passage may require permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for some vessels.
Maritime analysts warn that such enforcement measures and unilateral interdictions increase the risk to commercial shipping, particularly for vessels attempting to call at ports subject to competing claims of authority. Shipping companies and insurers are closely monitoring developments as regional tensions complicate established transit routes.
Damage assessment and ongoing investigation
Initial reports describe severe damage to the Marivex’s engine room and steering spaces, and investigators have said access to some life-saving equipment was compromised. The cause of the fire—whether directly resulting from the strike or from subsequent onboard conflagration—remains under review by maritime authorities and the vessel’s flag state.
The Palau-flagged status of the Marivex adds another layer to the investigatory process, which will involve the ship’s owners, classification societies, and relevant coastal and flag-state regulators. Authorities have indicated inquiries will seek to determine compliance with navigational orders and the precise sequence that led to the disabling action.
Diplomatic channels between India, Oman and the United States remain active as officials work to secure the welfare of the crew, clarify circumstances surrounding the disabling of the Marivex tanker, and assess implications for commercial traffic in the region.