A dramatic distress call from the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex has surfaced, capturing the desperate moments after the vessel was reportedly struck during a US military operation off the coast of Oman.
In the audio recording, an Indian crew member can be heard urgently pleading for assistance as fire engulfed the tanker and the situation rapidly deteriorated.
"Sir, this is motor tanker Marivex... We have fire on board, and vessel is sinking... Please help, please help. Total all crew Indian. Twenty-four crew, all crew Indian," the crew member says in the distress call.
The chilling message highlighted the gravity of the emergency as the crew battled to survive amid fears that the vessel could go down.
Footage shows Indian crew members being airlifted by helicopter during a rescue operation after US forces disabled an Iran-bound tanker in the Gulf of Oman in a missile strike. India confirmed that all 24 Indian sailors aboard the vessel were rescued. pic.twitter.com/WI1e6xFejx
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) June 9, 2026
According to reports, the tanker sustained severe damage and caught fire following the incident in waters off Oman. Maritime rescue authorities were immediately alerted, triggering a large-scale emergency response operation.
The Omani military subsequently launched a helicopter rescue mission in coordination with maritime authorities. All 24 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were safely evacuated and brought to safety.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai, in coordination with Omani authorities, rescued 24 Indian crew members following a missile attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex off the coast of Oman. The rescued crew members are reported to be safe, and no casualties…
— Ayushi Agarwal (@ayu_agarwal94) June 9, 2026
Officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported in the incident, with all crew members rescued despite the dangerous conditions at sea.
The emergence of the distress call has drawn attention to the risks faced by commercial vessels operating in the strategically important waters near the Gulf region, where geopolitical tensions have intensified in recent days.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the strike and assess the extent of damage sustained by the tanker.
The successful rescue of all 24 Indian sailors has brought relief to their families, while the dramatic audio recording serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers navigating conflict-prone waters.
Flight tracking data shows a Royal Air Force of Oman helicopter took off from an air base on Masirah Island at about 09:55 GMT and appeared to reached Marivex's location just over 20 minutes later.
Verified videos show the crew being lifted off the tanker into a helicopter. The helicopter in the footage matches one seen in a photograph later shared by the FSUI showing the crew on Oman's Masirah Island after the rescue.
Centcom did not answer BBC Verify's question about whether they had contacted the Omani or Indian authorities before the strike.
