Key facts
- US Navy coordinated the rescue of 14 Indian nationals from the sinking dhow Virat 1.
- The incident occurred approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman.
- A US Navy P-8 aircraft dropped a life raft, and a merchant vessel provided assistance.
- The crew members were safely evacuated onto the life raft.
- The Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed the incident and rescue efforts.
A significant rescue operation was conducted by the US Navy off the coast of Oman to save 14 Indian nationals from the sinking dhow Virat 1. The vessel began to sink on June 14, approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd. Upon receiving the distress call, the US Navy deployed a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, which dropped a life raft to aid in the evacuation. The Navy also coordinated with local authorities and a nearby merchant ship, the MV Jabal Ali 9, to ensure the safe transfer of the crew members onto the life raft. The exact cause of the dhow's sinking remains unknown. The Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed its awareness of the incident and its involvement in coordinating the search and rescue efforts with Omani authorities and nearby vessels. This rescue occurs amid heightened strategic importance of maritime corridors near the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing Middle East conflicts and disruptions to commercial shipping lanes.