Fire breaks out in commercial vessel with 14 Indian-origin crew; Navy extends help

According to the Navy spokesperson, stealth frigate INS Tabar, currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman, responded to a distress call from MT Yi Cheng 6 on Sunday.

Mumbai: A major fire broke out on board Palau flagged MT Yi Cheng 6 while it was heading from Kandla port in Gujarat to Shinas in Oman on Sunday.

Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tabar, which is deployed in the Gulf of Oman, responded to a distress call from the tanker.

The vessel had 14 crew members of Indian origin on board when a major fire broke out in its engine room.

The fire fighting team and equipment from INS Tabar were transferred onboard by the ship's boat and helicopter.

Thirteen Indian naval personnel and 5 crew members of the stricken tanker are currently involved in firefighting operations, with intensity of fire onboard reducing drastically.

"The vessel with 14 crew members of Indian origin, transiting from Kandla in India to Shinas, Oman, experienced a major fire in the engine room and total power failure onboard," the spokesperson said.

"Thirteen Indian naval personnel and five crew members of the stricken tanker are currently involved in fire-fighting operations, with the intensity of fire onboard reduced drastically," the spokesperson said in a social media post.

(With PTI inputs)