A traditional Indian cargo ship reportedly ferrying 69 vehicles from Sharjah to war-torn Yemen has sunk off Oman, local media report.
All crew on board the unnamed wooden vessel – there are conflicting reports of 10 or 11 men – were rescued by Omani fishermen 15nm off Jalan Bani Bu Ali province as it headed for Yemen’s Al Mukalla port.
The vessel is said to have sunk due to a “technical” issue with several media outlets, including the Oman Tribune and Dubai’s Gulf News, saying officials suspect overloading.
The vessel was also said to be carrying foodstuff, engine oils and tyres to Yemen.
Details remain sketchy including any remaining danger to shipping in the vicinity or any pollution issues although Gulf News reported that the “Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs sent a team to clean up the debris and to save the turtles.”
The incident follows the rescue of 17 Indian sailors by Omani fishermen and Oman Coastguard last month after their traditional dhow sunk off Masirah island, transporting livestock from India to the UAE.
A vessel reportedly carrying of 800 tonnes of plastic items was sunk off Masirah Island on July 22 “with thousands of plastic items washing ashore near the beach where turtles were nesting in the island”, according to local media.
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