File image of an oil tanker. (Representative image)
Credit: Reuters File Photo
New Delhi: A warship of the Indian Navy on Wednesday rescued nine of the 16 members of the crew of MT Falcon Prestige, an oil tanker that recently capsized off the coast of Oman.
The Comoros-flagged MT Falcon Prestige had 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans as the members of the crew. The rescued seafarers include eight Indians and a Sri Lankan.
At least one member of the crew has been found dead, according to the information received in New Delhi
The MT Falcon Prestige transmitted a distress call at around 2200 hrs on Sunday off the coast of Oman. The vessel capsized about 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah in Oman on Monday. A search and rescue operation (SAR operation) was launched with the Oman Maritime Security Centre coordinating the response. The Indian Navy sent its Talwar-class frigate INS Teg to join the search and rescue operations in the area.
The Embassy of India in Muskat is in constant touch with the authorities of Oman, sources in New Delhi stated.
The SAR operation by the Indian and Omani naval assets is continuing to rescue the remaining seafarers, despite challenging weather conditions in the area which is witnessing rough sea and strong winds. The Indian Navy also deployed the Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I in search for survivors.