"We are carrying out a rescue mission and saved 22 out of the 23 crew on board of the oil carrier. One crewman is still missing. We are presuming him dead," the spokesperson said.
The vessel, New Diamond, was carrying about 2.7 million tonnes of crude oil from
The Panamanian vessel chartered by
Indian and Russian warships joined the Sri Lankan efforts to put out the blaze that broke out from the engine room of the tanker and spread to its upper deck.
De Silva said three Sri Lankan ships, two Indian Coast Guard vessels, a Dornier aircraft and two
The Sri Lankan navy spokesperson said the blaze had not reached the cargo area where the crude oil is stored.
"If our operations are successful, we can contain it just in time before the oil sweeps into the sea water," he added.
The Indian Coast Guard in a tweet said it had sent several ships and an aircraft to join the joint search and rescue efforts.
There were no reports of an oil spill in the area, it said, adding that emergency towing vessels were being deployed by
However, Lahandapura also underlined that they were prepared to respond adequately in case such a situation arose. EFE
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