A fire was reported on board a Madagascar-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Oman on Monday, with 24 Indian seafarers on board, but all crew members were safe, multiple media outlets reported, citing India's shipping ministry.
The vessel, Marivex, was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident, Opesh Kumar Sharma, a director in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reportedly said.
"All Indian seafarers are presently safe. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Defense to ensure their safety," Sharma reportedly said.
The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. local time, he said, adding that the cause was not immediately known.
Indian officials are in contact with Omani authorities regarding rescue and safety measures for the sailors, the Indian embassy in Oman said in an X post.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as efforts to secure the vessel and ensure the crew's safety remain underway, news outlets reported.