Search and Rescue Operations Underway After Oil Tanker Capsizes Off Oman

At least nine crew members of the Comoros-flagged oil tanker 'Prestige Falcon' have been rescued following the vessel's capsizing off Oman's coast. The ship was en route to Aden with a crew of 16. The search continues in rough weather for the remaining crew members.

At least nine of the 16-member crew of a Comoros-flagged oil tanker that capsized off Oman on Monday have been rescued while one was found dead, officials said on Wednesday, two days after the incident was first reported.

The "Prestige Falcon", a 117-metre oil product tanker, was heading to the Yemeni port of Aden with a crew of 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans when it capsized off Oman's major industrial port of Duqm. The cause was not immediately known. "Search and rescue operations have successfully found 10 crew members of the oil tanker Prestige Falcon, 9 found alive. Tragically, one crew member was found deceased," Oman's Maritime Security Centre said on X.

The search for the remaining crew members is ongoing, the security centre said. It gave no further details. Those rescued so far include eight Indians and one Sri Lankan, said a spokesperson for the Indian navy, which is helping with search and rescue operations.

"The search and rescue by Indian and Omani assets is being undertaken in challenging weather conditions as the area is experiencing rough sea and strong winds," the Indian navy spokesperson said. Indian government officials also said the search for the remaining crew members would continue in the area.

Duqm port, located on Oman's southwest coast, lies close to its major oil and gas mining projects.

(With inputs from agencies.)