Oil Tanker Struck by Suspected Projectile Off Oman Coast: 24 Indian Crew Members Safely Rescued

Karwar, June 10, 2026 – A major tragedy was averted after an oil tanker carrying 24 Indian crew members was struck by a suspected projectile (possibly a drone or missile) off the coast of Oman on Monday, causing a fire on board. Fortunately, all 24 Indian nationals were safely rescued without any injuries.

The vessel, identified as MT Marivex, was traveling from Karwar port in Karnataka to Duqm, Oman. At the time of the incident, the tanker was not carrying any commercial cargo such as oil—it only had water on board to maintain balance.

📍 Route Map: Karwar to Oman (Strait of Hormuz)

Below is the approximate route taken by the MT Marivex before the incident:

        IRAN
          |
          |  ★ STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Incident site)
          |        /
    OMAN  |       /
          |      /
          |     /
          |    /
          |   /
    ARABIAN SEA
          |
          |
          |  ● Karwar Port (Start)
          |
    INDIAN OCEAN

Route Summary:

• Start: Karwar Port, Karnataka, India
• Destination: Duqm, Oman
• Incident Location: Near the Strait of Hormuz (south of the strait, at a safe distance)
• Distance from Karwar to Duqm: Approximately 1,500 nautical miles (2,780 km)

Note: The ship was at a safe distance south of the Strait of Hormuz when the suspected projectile struck.

Incident Details

According to the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 1:30 PM (IST) on Monday. A projectile struck the engine section of the ship, immediately triggering a fire.

In an SOS message sent by the crew, they reported that the fire was so intense that the lifeboats on board could not be used for evacuation.

Swift Rescue Operation

Multiple Indian government agencies responded swiftly to ensure the safety of the crew. The Ministry of External Affairs, Indian embassies abroad, the Ministry of Defence, and the Indian Navy coordinated the rescue operation.

Despite the intensity of the fire, all 24 crew members—all Indian nationals—were safely evacuated from the vessel without any injuries.

Official Statement

Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of the Shipping Department, provided clarification on the incident:

“The ship was at a safe distance south of the Strait of Hormuz. We are currently gathering more accurate information to confirm whether a projectile exactly struck the vessel.”

Support from Maritime Union

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India also shared official information on social media regarding the Indian seamen stranded off the Oman coast, confirming that emergency assistance was sought and provided.

📖 Sidebar: The Strait of Hormuz – A Strategic Waterway

Why This Matters for the MT Marivex Incident

The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint for maritime incidents in recent years, including:

• 2019: Multiple tanker attacks attributed to limpet mines
• 2020-2024: Several drones and missile strikes on commercial vessels
• 2025: Increased naval patrols by US, UK, and Indian forces

The MT Marivex was struck while navigating south of this sensitive waterway, raising concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region. Indian authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attack was carried out by a state actor, a militant group, or was a stray projectile.

Timeline of Incident

Sources: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Forward Seamen’s Union of India; SahilOnline; US Energy Information Administration (Strait of Hormuz data)