All 14 Indian crew members aboard the Indian-flagged merchant vessel Virat 1 were safely evacuated after the ship suffered an engine failure off the coast of Oman, according to the Embassy of India in Muscat. The vessel experienced a mechanical breakdown while operating in waters near Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the ship and transfer to a liferaft as emergency rescue efforts were launched.
The incident began after the vessel reported engine trouble while sailing approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras al Hadd. Maritime authorities were alerted when it became apparent that the vessel was in distress and at risk of sinking. Following the emergency alert, rescue operations were initiated in coordination with Omani authorities, nearby vessels, and international maritime agencies.
According to the Indian Embassy, the crew members managed to safely leave the vessel and board a liferaft after the engine failure rendered the ship inoperable. The embassy stated that rescue operations were being coordinated with Omani authorities and ships operating in the vicinity to ensure the safety of all personnel on board.
The emergency response received significant assistance from the US Navy. A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft located the distressed crew and deployed a liferaft. The aircraft monitored the situation from the air and ensured that all crew members boarded the raft safely while awaiting further assistance.
The patrol aircraft also requested help from MV Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged merchant vessel travelling from Sohar to Mumbai. The ship altered its course and proceeded to the location of the stranded crew, where it assisted in the ongoing rescue operation under the supervision of maritime authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat said it remained in close contact with Omani authorities and was continuously monitoring developments. Officials emphasised that the priority was ensuring the complete safety and welfare of all 14 Indian sailors involved in the incident.
The emergency occurred at a particularly sensitive time due to growing concerns about maritime security in the Gulf region. However, authorities were quick to clarify that the Virat 1 incident had no connection to the recent attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman and surrounding waters.
Officials stated that the emergency was caused solely by a technical malfunction involving the vessel's engine and was not the result of any hostile action, military strike, attack, or security-related incident. This clarification came amid heightened tensions in the region following several recent attacks on ships carrying Indian crew members.
In recent days, multiple vessels with Indian sailors on board have come under attack in the Gulf region. One such incident resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers, leading India to lodge a strong protest and summon the US Charg d'Affaires in New Delhi. The Indian government condemned attacks on commercial shipping and stressed the importance of protecting maritime trade routes and civilian vessels.
Despite those broader regional concerns, authorities have stressed that the situation involving Virat 1 was entirely unrelated. Investigators and maritime officials have attributed the incident to mechanical failure, and rescue operations focused solely on evacuating the crew and ensuring their safe recovery.
At the time of the latest update, rescue efforts were continuing, with all 14 Indian crew members reported safe and accounted for. The Indian Embassy reiterated that it would continue coordinating with local authorities and maritime agencies until the operation was fully completed and all sailors were brought to safety.
