Coast guard evacuates Iranian fisherman injured in fishing vessel explosion in Arabian Sea

The fisherman sustained injuries to both his eyes and a deep laceration on his right ear following an explosion during a fuel transfer onboard the Iranian fishing dhow Al-Owais

Updated on: Oct 30, 2025, 17:49:24 IST

By Gerard de Souza

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Panaji: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday evacuated an Iranian fisherman injured in an explosion onboard an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea and brought him to Goa for medical treatment.

According to Coast Guard officers, they received a distress call for a medical evacuation from the Iranian dhow Al-Owais, around 1,500 km west off the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea. (Indian Coast Guard)

The fisherman, who sustained severe injuries to both his eyes and a deep laceration on his right ear following an explosion during a fuel transfer onboard the Iranian fishing dhow (vessel) Al-Owais, which had also encountered engine failure, is currently admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital.

“A long-range Naval helicopter took off from Goa and evacuated the patient from ICGS Sachet at sea, about 180 km off Goa. The Indian Navy helicopter landed with the injured Iranian national at about 1200 hrs on October 30. The patient was later shifted to Goa Medical College Hospital, Goa, for further medical management,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

According to Coast Guard officers, they received a distress call for a medical evacuation from the Iranian dhow Al-Owais, around 1,500 km west off the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea.

After activating the International Safety Net to alert all nearby vessels, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai diverted ‘MT STI Grace’, a crude oil tanker, being the closest to the Iranian dhow.

“Parallelly, ICG Ship Sachet, which was returning from an overseas deployment to East African countries, was also diverted to render immediate assistance. MT STI Grace, being closer to the Iranian dhow, took the patient onboard for initial medical aid with ICG telemedicine support,” the statement said.

“The medical condition of the injured Iranian fisherman was monitored 24/7 during the passage, and he was administered the required medical management onboard the ship to stabilise his vitals. However, after his condition deteriorated, on October 28, he was airlifted by a Naval helicopter from Goa,” the statement added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerard de Souza
Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.Read More

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