12 Crew Members Rescued After Emergency Operation by Oman Navy and Indian Ships
Salaya’s ship ‘Mehboob-e-Bukhari’ sank in the waters off Oman during a voyage from Dubai to Djibouti, leaving two Gujarati sailors dead while 12 others were rescued in a coordinated maritime operation. The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of traditional cargo vessels operating in challenging sea conditions.
The vessel, carrying a general cargo shipment, encountered severe weather during its journey when both of its main engines reportedly failed, leaving the crew unable to control the ship. As the situation rapidly worsened, the captain instructed all crew members to abandon the vessel and jump into the sea in an effort to save their lives.
While rescue teams managed to save most of those on board, two crew members lost their lives before help could reach them.
Cargo Vessel Left Dubai for Djibouti
According to available information, the vessel involved in the accident was the cargo ship Mehboob-e-Bukhari, registered under BDI-1415. The ship departed from Dubai on July 3 carrying general cargo destined for Djibouti.
The journey progressed normally until the vessel entered Omani waters, where deteriorating weather conditions created dangerous sailing circumstances.
Heavy waves and rough seas reportedly placed significant pressure on the vessel, leading to the simultaneous failure of both main engines.
Engine Failure Left Crew With No Option
As sea conditions continued to worsen, the crew attempted to prevent the vessel from sinking. However, despite repeated efforts, they were unable to restore power or regain control of the ship.
With the cargo vessel beginning to sink, the captain made the critical decision to order every crew member to abandon ship immediately.
The sailors jumped into the sea wearing available safety equipment while awaiting rescue in extremely challenging weather conditions.
Maritime experts note that abandoning a vessel is considered a last resort and is only ordered when remaining onboard becomes more dangerous than entering the water.
Joint Rescue Operation Saves 12 Lives
A large-scale rescue operation was launched shortly after distress information was received.
The Oman Navy, supported by two Indian cargo vessels-Al Haji Hasan and Safina Al Noore Ilahi worked together to search for the stranded sailors.
Despite strong currents and poor weather, rescue teams successfully located and saved 12 crew members.
Unfortunately, two sailors could not be rescued in time and were later confirmed dead.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Imran Ishaq Bhaiya
- Yasir Noormamad Gandhar
Their deaths have cast a shadow over the maritime community in Salaya, a coastal town in Gujarat known for its long history of seafaring and international cargo trade.
List of Rescued Crew Members
The following sailors survived the accident and were rescued safely:
- Qasam Usuf Bamhaniya
- Abbas Ali Mamad Bhaiya
- Ajaz Salim Bhagad
- Ali Asgar Haji Ali Chaba
- Alias Latif Sandhar
- Aslam Talab Kara
- Irfan Adam Sumbania
- Javed Hussain Suleman Sumbania
- Mehboob Mustafa Abbas Bhaiya
- Rahish Abdul Bhaiya
- Rahil Roshan Jamir Sumbania
- Soyab Mohammad Dawood Bhaiya
All rescued crew members were brought safely to shore after the operation.
Bodies and Survivors Taken to Fishing Jetty Near Duqm
Authorities transported the bodies of the two deceased sailors, along with the 12 survivors, to a fishing jetty near Duqm in Oman.
News of the tragedy quickly reached Salaya in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district, where relatives and residents expressed grief over the loss of the two sailors.
Families of the deceased are now awaiting the completion of official procedures before the bodies can be brought back to India.
Association Seeks Government Assistance
Following the accident, the Indian Sailing Vessels Association contacted the relevant authorities and India’s Ministry of External Affairs through official communication.
Association Secretary Adam Bhaiya requested government support to:
- Facilitate the repatriation of the deceased sailors’ bodies.
- Ensure the safe return of the surviving crew members.
- Complete necessary legal and documentation formalities required after the maritime accident.
Such assistance is often coordinated through Indian diplomatic missions and local authorities when Indian nationals are involved in overseas maritime emergencies.
Second Major Incident Involving a Salaya Vessel in Recent Months
The latest tragedy comes only about two months after another cargo vessel from Salaya was lost in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the risks faced by sailors operating in international waters.
In that earlier incident on May 7, the Gujarat cargo vessel MSV Al Faize Noore Sulemani-I (BDI-1494) was sailing from Dubai toward Yemen’s Mukalla Port with 18 crew members onboard.
According to reports from that time, the vessel became caught in an area where hostilities involving Iranian and U.S. naval forces were taking place. The ship sustained severe damage and eventually sank.
One crew member, Altaf Talab Kara, who was inside the engine room during the emergency, died in the incident, while the remaining 17 sailors were rescued.
The back-to-back maritime tragedies have renewed concerns among seafaring families in Salaya, where many residents depend on overseas shipping for their livelihoods.
A Community Closely Connected to the Sea
Salaya has long been recognized as one of Gujarat’s important traditional maritime towns. For generations, local sailors have operated wooden cargo vessels that transport goods across the Arabian Sea to destinations including the Gulf region, East Africa, and other international ports.
While these voyages provide employment to hundreds of families, they also expose crews to unpredictable weather, mechanical failures, and the challenges of navigating busy international shipping routes.
The sinking of Mehboob-e-Bukhari serves as another reminder of the dangers faced by merchant sailors working far from home.
As investigations into the accident continue, the focus remains on supporting the survivors, assisting the bereaved families, and ensuring the safe return of all crew members to India. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the sequence of events that led to the vessel’s sinking, while maritime organizations continue to call for enhanced safety measures for cargo vessels operating on international routes.