AiBotDate: 14 July 2026
Muscat, Oman – Oman’s Maritime Security Centre (MSC) has confirmed that all 18 crew members aboard the UAE-flagged oil tanker Al Bahyah have been successfully evacuated following an attack in the highly contested Strait of Hormuz. Despite this development, the operation to locate the missing crew members continues.
The Al Bahyah, which was reportedly carrying crude oil, came under attack at approximately 08:55 local time on 12 July 2026, near the Omani territorial waters. According to reports, the incident involved a reported explosion on board the vessel.
Following the attack, Oman’s MSC swiftly coordinated with other regional authorities and international rescue teams to initiate a comprehensive search and rescue operation. In a significant development on 13 July, all the remaining crew members were safely evacuated from the stricken vessel.
However, reports indicate that three crew members were left unaccounted for and are still at large. MSC officials have stated that priority is being given to locating and retrieving those missing, in collaboration with international partners and local authorities.
As part of the ongoing search efforts, Oman has deployed naval assets and air support in coordination with UAE forces working in conjunction with local and regional authorities. The operation involves a high level of coordination with naval assets in the region, as well as assets supplied by regional partners, in an effort to locate the missing crew.
As tensions escalate in the region, concerns surrounding maritime security remain a pressing issue. Reports from the area have highlighted the heightened levels of regional tension, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a focal point in the ongoing international maritime conflict.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, and raises crucial questions about the level of security measures in place to safeguard oil tankers and other commercial vessels traversing this strategically critical region.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, and the Oman Maritime Security Centre has assured that the necessary support and resources are being devoted to retrieving those still missing.
This incident has significant implications for regional and global interests, highlighting long-standing issues regarding the safety and security of the Strait of Hormuz as well as the broader maritime domain.