The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has communicated this Monday that the supertanker "El Gaia" is "on fire" after colliding with a naval mine while trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz through a "restricted" area. The ship belongs to Indian interests, although it sails under a Panamanian flag of convenience.
"The supertanker 'El Gaia' registration number 9325336 was attempting to cross a restricted area in the southern Strait of Hormuz and suffered an explosion after hitting a naval mine," the Iranian Revolutionary Guard explained in a statement.
The elite body of the Iranian Armed Forces has indicated that "the attempts to control the fire have been unsuccessful and the entire tanker was engulfed in flames."
The Iranian authorities emphasize that "there had been prior warnings about the danger of crossing illegally." "The Navy of the Revolutionary Guard firmly declares that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and remains under our intelligent control," it added.
For its part, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned on Sunday the "attack" against the vessel "El Gaia" near the coasts of Oman. It specified that there were 14 crew members of Indian nationality on board, of which thirteen have already been evacuated.
"Rescue operations for the missing Indian citizen" continue with the support of the Omani authorities, New Delhi highlighted.
The Indian government took the opportunity to demand an "immediate de-escalation of tension" and the establishment of a "path of dialogue and diplomacy" in order to "bring peace to the region." It also reiterated its condemnation of the "unacceptable" attack against commercial vessels and other civilian targets.