A vessel sanctioned by the United States was attacked off the coast of Oman on Monday, according to the crew’s union, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India, which said 24 Indian seafarers on board are in distress.
The vessel, Motor Tanker Marivex, was sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury in December in relation to sanctions on Iran.
In a transcript of the distress call from the tanker on Monday, the crew says there’s a fire on board following what they claim was “a US Navy attack.”
CNN has reached out to US Central Command for a response.
“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 noted that one of the vessel’s lifeboats had caught fire.
Images of the Marivex oil tanker posted on social media, which were verified by CNN, show smoke billowing from the tanker’s engine room.
The oil tanker sails under the flag of Palau and its registered owner, Arihant Shipping Inc., appears on the US list of blocked persons and vessels for activity involving Iran.
Source: CNN
– Agencies
