‘Please send help’: Crew’s distress call after ship hit by US missile

'Please send help': Indian Crew's Distress Call After US Missile Strike

Please send help - An Indian crew aboard the oil tanker Marivex issued a plea for assistance after their vessel was struck by a US missile near Oman on Monday. The distress signal, relayed to BBC Verify, described the ship as engulfed in flames and rapidly sinking. The incident occurred approximately 28 kilometers off the coast of Oman, where the crew was reportedly in critical condition.

According to US Central Command (Centcom), the Marivex had breached a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. A "precision munition" was deployed against the ship after its crew ignored instructions to alter course. The Omani military successfully rescued all 24 crew members, as confirmed by Indian authorities. This marks the seventh ship disabled by the US for similar violations, Centcom noted.

Blockade Context and Fire Origin

The US military has been enforcing a blockade on Iran's ports following Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage for 20% of global oil and gas shipments. Opesh Kumar Sharma, representing India's ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways, stated that a fire ignited on the Marivex around 13:30 India time (08:00 GMT). However, the cause of the blaze remains unspecified.

"Sir, this is motor tanker Miravex ... we have a fire on board and vessel is sinking," said a crew member in a distress call shared with BBC Verify. "US Navy attack, the missile on our engine room. We have hole at the bottom ... 24 crew. All crew Indian. Please help quickly, we need immediate help."

Rescue Operation and Verification

Following the distress call, the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) reported receiving the alert at 14:15 India time (08:45 GMT). The union later posted a video on the social media platform X, showing the crew on Oman's Masirah Island after being evacuated. The footage depicts a helicopter lifting survivors from the sinking ship, matching a San Antonio-class warship seen in images shared by the FSUI.

Flight tracking data revealed a Royal Air Force of Oman helicopter departing from Masirah Island at 09:55 GMT and arriving at the Marivex's location within 20 minutes. The Omani military's involvement in the rescue was confirmed by the Indian Embassy, which responded to the FSUI's social media post to gather more details.

Background on the Sanctioned Ship

The Marivex, previously known as Arihant, was sanctioned by the US for its ties to Iran. Centcom also targeted the ship's owner, Arihant Shipping Inc, accusing it of transporting Iranian fuel oil and bitumen through the Gulf since July 2025. Ship-tracking data shows the vessel last docked at Bandar Abbas, Iran, in early April before heading to Mangaluru and Karwar on India's west coast. It then traversed the Arabian Sea, spending much of May and early June near Oman, where it was captured in multiple satellite images.

Centcom declined to confirm if they had coordinated with Omani or Indian authorities prior to the strike. The ship was described as unladen at the time of the attack, with Centcom stating it had "violated the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port."