Vessel Sinks off Oman, 5 Dead and 9 Missing

An Indian ship off the coast of southern Oman sank on Saturday, drowning five Indian sailors, and leaving nine more sailors missing. 

The ship, MSV Shiv Sagar MNV 2169, sank near the Dhofar region of Oman, according to local media reports.  The Omani coast guards and naval forces launched a rescue operation, and rescued six sailors.  They continue to look for the nine who are still missing while the rescued are kept at a police station in Sadah city after visiting a hospital for treatment.

The missing sailors have been identified by The Hindu as Captain Prabhulal, Engineer Suresh, Lalji, Bharat, Mohan Mehta, Ashraf Asam, Yusuf Saamra, Suleiman Haji Sumara and Hussain Sumaraa.

The Indian sailors were travelling from Gujarat to Dubai and were headed towards Salalah when torrential rains ravaged the Dhofar region, around the same time a tropical cyclone passed through.
Gulf News said that the Shiv Sagar was damaged by the strong winds and rain, and then sank. 

Omani vessels had been guarding the coastal area following the storm, which helped to facilitate in swift rescue operations.

P.M. Jabir of the Indian Social Club Welfare Secretary was quoted saying it is strange that the rescued sailors have been locked up by police, and urges the Indian embassy to take up the matter with authorities.