New Delhi: An oil tanker carrying 16 crew members, including 13 Indians, has sunk off the coast of Oman, the country’s Maritime Safety Center said on Tuesday. Crew members are missing and rescue operations are on to find them.
There were 13 Indian and 3 Sri Lankan citizens in the oil tanker ‘Prestige Falcon’. The ship sank 25 nautical miles south-east of Ras Madrakah near the Omani port of Duqm on Monday.
According to LSEG shipping information, the tanker was heading to Yemen’s Aden port. Oman’s Maritime Safety Center told Reuters news agency that the oil tanker capsized after sinking. However, it is not clear whether the ship is stable or whether oil or oil products are leaking into the sea.
According to LSEG shipping information, this vessel is a 117 meter long oil product tanker built in 2007. Such small tanks are usually employed for short journeys.
Duqm Port is located on the southwest coast of Oman, a major hub for the country’s major oil and gas mining projects. A major oil refinery is part of the massive Duqm Industrial Estate, which is the largest single economic project in the state.
