Twenty Indian Seafarers Evacuated from Ship Amid Security Concerns Off Oman’s Coast

In a recent maritime security incident off the coast of Oman, twenty Indian seafarers aboard the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker MT Jalveer are being evacuated. The Union government confirmed their safety, stating that the crew is currently under the process of evacuation after a fire broke out on the vessel, details of which remain unclear.

Social media footage displayed thick smoke engulfing the ship, raising alarms about the severity of the situation. The incident occurred near the port of Shinas, a region close to the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, which has faced significant maritime tensions since the onset of conflicts in West Asia in February. The Indian diplomatic mission in Oman is actively monitoring the incident and coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of its nationals.

This evacuation comes on the heels of a tragic event just a day prior, where three Indian seafarers tragically lost their lives when the United States military targeted a commercial tanker off the Omani coast. The US military’s operation involved the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello, which was reportedly struck due to claims of violating an American-imposed blockade aimed at restricting maritime traffic associated with Iran. In this incident, twenty-one other crew members were rescued.

The Indian government has expressed its discontent regarding the US military’s actions by summoning the US Chargé d’Affaires, Jason Meeks, to formally lodge a protest against the strike. The US Central Command had asserted that the Settebello was targeted as it was allegedly attempting to transport oil from Iran, a nation currently under stringent sanctions by the US.

Adding to the ongoing maritime tensions, another tanker, the Marivex, which was carrying twenty-four Indian seafarers, was also reportedly targeted by the US military under similar accusations of violating the blockade. Fortunately, all crew members from the Marivex were successfully rescued, highlighting the precarious situation faced by Indian nationals working in such volatile maritime environments. As this situation evolves, the Indian government is expected to take further steps to safeguard the interests of its citizens abroad.

Source: scroll.in