Oil Tanker Capsizes Off Oman Coast: Indian Navy Leads Rescue Mission

Search teams rescued nine crew members, mostly Indians, and recovered the body of another as they searched the Arabian Sea waters for others after an oil tanker capsized this week off the coast of Oman, Omani state media reported.

The tanker, the MT Prestige Falcon, capsized late Monday about 25 nautical miles (29 miles) southeast of Oman's Ras Madrakah area, according to Oman's Maritime Security Agency.

The cause of the capsizing and the condition of the tanker and its cargo were not immediately known. However, the Indian Navy, which dispatched a warship to assist in the search operations, stated that the rescue teams faced rough seas and strong winds.

In a Wednesday statement, the Navy confirmed that eight Indians and another crew member had been rescued. Indian and Omani teams continue to search for the missing crew. The crew comprised 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans, it was reported. Oman's state news agency also confirmed that one crew member had died.

The 117-meter-long (383-foot) Prestige Falcon, flying under the flag of Comoros, was transporting oil products from Hamriya port in the UAE to Aden in Yemen, as per the shipping-tracking website marinetraffic.com.

(With inputs from agencies.)