Oman Rescues 25 Crew from Burning Panamanian Tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Oman evacuated 25 crew members from the Panamanian-flagged merchant ship RITI after the vessel caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The Omani Maritime Security Centre said its navy carried out the rescue and provided medical care. Tracking data identified the RITI as a crude-oil tanker.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that four tankers attempting to use unauthorised routes through the strait were halted. Two of them, each carrying more than two million barrels, exploded and caught fire after striking mines, according to the IRGC. It is not confirmed whether the RITI was among those four. Iran's navy also reported destroying an unmanned craft east of the strait.

The British maritime security agency UKMTO said a ship 40 to 74 kilometres south of Lavan island was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire. The crew was reported safe and no environmental impact was noted at the time. U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said American forces had cleared the strait's primary transit routes of Iranian sea mines.

The strait has been under restricted traffic since the current Middle East conflict began on 28 February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Multiple incidents involving commercial vessels have been reported in recent weeks. Omani authorities have conducted several rescues. The RITI incident is the latest in which a full crew was removed from a burning tanker.

No further details on the cause of the fire aboard the RITI have been released by Oman. The crew members were taken to safety and received medical attention. Shipping companies continue to assess routes through the strait. Insurance premiums for vessels transiting the waterway remain elevated.

The immediate operational result is that 25 sailors are off the vessel and receiving care. The tanker itself remains a navigation hazard until the fire is extinguished and the ship is secured or removed. Iranian and U.S. statements about mines and clearances continue to differ. Further incidents remain possible as long as the broader conflict continues and commercial traffic seeks passage.