Muscat: An oil tanker named ‘Prestige Falcon’ with a crew of 16, including 13 Indians, capsized off the coast of Oman, triggering a search and rescue operation for the missing personnel.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Comoros-flagged tanker was en route to Aden Port in Yemen when it encountered trouble, sinking approximately 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah near Duqm Port. Oman’s maritime security center has confirmed that the vessel is submerged and inverted, with ongoing efforts to locate the crew who remain unaccounted for. The tanker, constructed in 2007 and measuring 117 meters in length, is typically used for transporting oil products on short voyages.

The area around Duqm Port, a critical center for Oman’s oil and gas projects and home to a significant oil refinery, is now the focus of intense search activities. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, with authorities yet to confirm any environmental damage, such as oil leakage, from the sunken vessel.

The Indian government has acknowledged the severity of the incident and is in close communication with Omani officials to facilitate the rescue operations and ensure the well-being of the missing Indian nationals. This incident has heightened concerns regarding the safety of Indian sailors working in potentially hazardous maritime environments.