Three Killed, Two Injured as Tourist Boat Capsizes in Gulf of Oman

Three people lost their lives and two others were injured after a tourist boat capsized in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, January 27, according to local authorities.

Officials said the vessel was traveling to the popular Ad Dimaniyat Islands when it overturned around 2.5 nautical miles off Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time.

A nearby ship diverted to the scene and assisted in the rescue after spotting the capsized boat. Witnesses reported that the rescue operation took place amid worsening weather conditions, with wave heights reaching up to two metres.

All 25 passengers onboard, along with the tour guide and the boat’s captain, were brought ashore and examined by emergency medical teams. Three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others sustained injuries.

Authorities confirmed that all passengers were French nationals. An official from Oman’s Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority told local radio station Hala FM that some passengers were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the accident.

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the capsizing.