All 23 crew members aboard the Malta-flagged oil tanker M/T Kavomaleas have been rescued safely after the vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman, the Ministry for Sustainable Mobility said.
The ministry said that there were no reported casualties and that the crew had been brought safely ashore by the Omani authorities.
The Kavomaleas was attacked while sailing near the Omani coast, Greek media has reported.
According to maritime security firms, the tanker caught fire after it was struck by two missiles about eight nautical miles north-west of Kumzar, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.
Athens-based maritime risk consultancy Marisk said the missiles struck the vessel's engine room, sparking a fire that was brought under control using the ship's carbon dioxide fire suppression system before the crew abandoned the vessel. They were subsequently rescued by the Omani authorities.
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting oil and gas tankers following the escalation of hostilities between the United States and Iran earlier this month over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which around one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.
The Ministry for Sustainable Mobility said the Merchant Shipping Directorate and Malta's Rescue Coordination Centre had been actively involved since receiving the first notification of the incident, maintaining contact with the vessel's managers and the authorities coordinating the response.
Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett welcomed confirmation that all crew members had been rescued safely and thanked the Omani authorities for their swift response.
"The safety of seafarers remains our foremost priority. We are relieved that all crew members have been rescued safely and are grateful to the Omani authorities for their prompt assistance," Bonett said.
He added that Malta would continue to fulfil its responsibilities as a leading flag state by monitoring the incident closely and cooperating with the relevant international authorities.
The ministry said it would continue to follow developments and provide any assistance required as part of Malta's responsibilities as the vessel's flag state.
According to shipbroking data, the Panamax-sized tanker is managed by Greek shipping company Dynacom Tankers Management and had been due to load oil products in the Gulf this week.
Marisk also reported that another Dynacom-managed tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz after a missile hit its steering gear compartment.
Photo: ekathimerini.com