MT Marivex incident: 24 Indian crew members unharmed in tanker blast off Oman

NEW DELHI / MUSCAT: All 24 Indian crew members aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Marivex are safe after a mid-sea fire broke out south of the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Indian officials confirmed.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 PM IST when an explosion ripped through the engine room of the vessel, which was traveling empty ("in ballast") off the coast of Oman. According to initial distress messages shared by the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), the blast caused a structural breach that damaged critical safety gear—including life jackets—and temporarily knocked out the ship's controls.

While early local media reports speculated the tanker may have been targeted by a drone strike amid escalating regional tensions, Indian authorities have refused to jump to conclusions.

Asked directly if the vessel was hit by a projectile, Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of the Shipping Division at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, urged caution.

"Based on available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. We are in constant touch with the ship owners, the Ministry of External Affairs, and our mission in Oman to ascertain the exact facts," Sharma said during an inter-ministerial briefing.

The Indian Embassy in Oman and the shipping ministry have established direct contact with the crew. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence are coordinating with regional diplomatic missions to monitor the vessel and provide emergency maritime assistance.

An investigation into the exact cause of the blast is currently underway.

Evacuation of Seafarers from Vessel Marivex in under process. Thanks for every one’s support @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @indiannavy @FsuiManoj @IMOHQ @ITFglobalunion pic.twitter.com/cyKIBqSqfh

— FSUI (@FSUIINDIA) June 8, 2026