CNN: Oil tanker carrying Indian crew comes under attack near Oman

A tanker carrying an Indian crew and sanctioned by the United States has been attacked off the coast of Oman, allegedly in an incident the crew attributes to the US Navy, according to a report by CNN.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India said 24 Indian seafarers on board are in distress following the attack on June 8 near Omani waters, the outlet added.

CNN reported that the Motor Tanker Marivex was added to the US Treasury sanctions list in December as part of measures targeting Iran-related activities.

In a distress signal transcript sent from the tanker, the crew said a fire had broken out following what they described as an attack by the “US Navy.”

“We are (on) fire on board, and (the) vessel is sinking. US Navy attack, the missile on our engine room,” the distress call transcript obtained by CNN said. “Please help. We are (on) fire on board… 24 crew. All crew Indian.” The distress call also said that one of the vessel’s lifeboats had caught fire.

Images of the Marivex oil tanker posted on social media and verified by CNN show smoke billowing from its engine room.

The vessel sails under the flag of Palau, while its registered owner, Arihant Shipping Inc., is listed by the US as a blocked entity over alleged Iran-related activities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada