India says fire reported on oil tanker off Oman coast, Indian crew safe

India's shipping ministry said on Monday that a fire was reported on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman with 24 Indian sailors on board, adding that all of them were safe.

The Madagascar-flagged vessel, Marivex, was not carrying cargo, Opesh Kumar Sharma, a director in the federal port and shipping ministry, told a press conference.

"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 Defence to ensure their safety," Sharma said.

He said the cause of the fire, which broke out on the vessel at 1.30 p.m. local time (0800 GMT), was not immediately known.

Indian officials are in touch with Omani authorities for the rescue and safety of the sailors, the Indian embassy said in a post on X.