13 Indians among 16 crew missing after oil tanker sinks off Oman coast; Indian Navy joins search operation
Ajay Banerjee
New Delhi, July 17
The Indian Navy has pressed its long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, the Boeing P8I, and a warship to locate survivors, including 13 Indian nationals, who were on board an oil tanker that capsized two days ago off the coast of Oman.
The Comoros-flagged oil tanker MV Prestige Falcon capsized 25 nautical miles (some 42 km) southeast of Ras Madrakah in Oman in the evening of July 15.
The merchant vessel is reported to have a total of 16 crew, which includes 13 Indians and 3 Sri Lankans.
Sources said an Indian Navy warship deployed in the region and was undergoing an ‘operational turn around’ at a port in west Asia, was sailed out at short notice to render assistance.
Search and rescue efforts are progressing in coordination with Oman. The sea condition is rough with strong winds.
The Boeing P8I has specific radars and area sensors that it carries. The pictures from these radars and sensors can be beamed live to control rooms in India and shared with the Indian warship.
The Oman Maritime Centre has last evening out details that the oil tanker capsized.
