Indian sailors rescued from burning tanker

TT

Updated 18.57 | Published 17.18

 

The US is blocking sea traffic from and to Iranian ports, which has led to a series of operations in the Gulf of Oman, among others. Archive photo. Photo: Fatima Schbair/AP/TT

Omani authorities have used a helicopter to rescue 24 Indian sailors from a burning oil tanker off the coast of Oman.

The fire broke out after the ship was hit by a missile, the seafarers' union in India told CBS News.

This was later confirmed by the US regional military command Centcom, which wrote in a statement that an American fighter jet fired on the ship to stop it.

The Palau-flagged ship Marivex was unloaded but heading for an Iranian port, according to Centcom.

The ship, under a previous name – Arihant – was sanctioned by the US due to alleged links to Iran, according to CBS.

The US is blocking Iranian ports and has previously both fired on and diverted merchant ships in the area during the ongoing ceasefire with Iran.