Indian-flagged dhow sinks off Oman; all 14 crew members were rescued

The Indian Embassy in Oman said all 14 rescued crew members were “safe and in good health”. Photo: X/@Indemb_Muscat

All 14 crew members were rescued on Sunday (June 14, 2026) after the mechanized sailing ship MSC Virat 1 experienced engine failure off the coast of Oman.

An Indian sailor died of medical complications on board a tanker in Oman

The Indian embassy in Oman said all 14 rescued crew members were “safe and in good health”, adding that they had been transferred to a vessel bound for Mumbai. The Mumbai-bound vessel, MV Jabal Ali, learned to be a cargo ship.

“The rescue operation involving the Indian flag MSV Virat 1 has been successfully completed. All 14 crew members have been rescued and are currently on board the Jabal Ali 9 bound for Mumbai. The crew members are safe and in good health,” the mission said in a post on X.

It turned out that the vessel’s engine had failed and the crew eventually transferred safely to a lifeboat. The rescue operation is currently being carried out by nearby ships under the coordination of the Omani authorities.

— India in Oman (Embassy of India, Muscat) (@Indemb_Muscat) June 14, 2026

Virat 1 was sailing off the coast of Oman, reportedly with 14 Indian crew members. The incident occurred at a time of heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

India’s mechanized sailing ships, often based in Mumbai and Mandvi, are smaller vessels that carry limited supplies, usually perishable food, to the Gulf countries.

Virat 1 was said to be 50 meters long and 12 meters wide.

(With PTI inputs)

Published – 14 Jun 2026 15:22 IST