Media: Drone attack hits oil tanker off Oman, killing crew member

An oil tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag was struck by a drone boat, sparking a fire and resulting in the death of a crew member, Muscat Daily reports.

The vessel, identified as the MKD VYOM, was located approximately 52 nautical miles off the coast of Oman’s Muscat Governorate while transporting nearly 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo.

The attack caused a major explosion in the tanker’s main engine room, claiming the life of an Indian national aboard the ship.

In a coordinated effort with the Maritime Security Centre, the remaining 21 crew members were successfully evacuated. The rescued personnel included sixteen Indian nationals, four Bangladeshis, and one Ukrainian, who were transferred to the Panamanian-flagged commercial vessel MV SAND.

A ship from the Royal Navy of Oman is currently monitoring the damaged tanker and issuing safety warnings to other vessels operating in the area.

By Vafa Guliyeva