Saudi Arabia’s Border Guards Rescued Crew Members Of A Panamanian Ship As It Caught Fire In The Red Sea

The Border Guards’ vessel (Rafha), in collaboration with a foreign ship, was able to rescue and safeguard the crew onboard a container tanker that was flying the flag of the Republic of Panama. The vessel was caught up in a fire accident in the Red Sea about 123 nm toward the northwest of the Jizan port.

A Border Guards’ official spokesperson named Colonel Misfir Al-Qarini stated that within the tasks’ implementation framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (1979), and as a continuation of the humanitarian activities extended by the Border Guards in rescue and search, Jeddah Search and Rescue Coordination Center reportedly received a distress call dubbed “MAYDAY” as the commercial oil tanker was exposed to an unexpected fire episode. It determined the location and passed the distress call to the command and control centre based in Jazan and relevant authorities to provide necessary assistance and support.

Colonel Al-Qarini has confirmed that the 25 sailors of different nationalities were evacuated to the port of Jizan. He added that they were received by several medical teams from the border guards, the Red Crescent, civil defence, health affairs, and passports in the region and are in stable condition. They were transferred to their place of residence while undertaking proper processes.

References: Mena FN, SPA