3 French tourists die after boat capsizes with 27 onboard in Oman
Three tourists died and two were injured after a boat capsized in Oman, the Sultanate's police announced on Tuesday, January 27. The boat was carrying 25 French tourists, along with a tour guide and the boat's captain, when the incident occurred.The bodies of the deceased and the injured passengers were transferred to the marine pier at Sultan Qaboos Port, where Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority teams provided medical assistance and handled the remains.The two tourists who sustained minor injuries were treated at the scene by ambulance crews. Police said a joint investigation team, comprising the Royal Oman Police and relevant authorities from the transport and tourism sectors, has been formed to examine all aspects of the incident.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Where did the tourist boat capsize in Oman?Preliminary information indicated that the boat capsized 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port in the Wilayat of Muttrah. Local media reported the boat was headed to the Dimaniyat Islands, a diving hotspot northwest of the capital known for its pristine underwater environment.Coast Guard teams reached the site within approximately five minutes of the incident. Rescue boats recovered the bodies and evacuated other passengers with assistance from tourist boats in the area, Colonel Mohammed bin Salman Al-Hashemi, Director of Security Relations and Media at the Royal Oman Police, said. He added that diving and maritime rescue teams later located the missing individuals and transported them to receive the necessary medical care.Government responseOman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of France and to the families of the victims after the tragic incident.The authority appreciated the efforts of the rescue and ambulance teams in dealing with the incident, affirming that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the accident which took place in the Mahout Province. It also wished for a speedy recovery for the injured. Meanwhile, France's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Known for its beautiful ocean and beaches which have become a magnet for tourists, the country's authorities often alert people of the dangers at sea and dynamic weather conditions. Back in March of last year, a child was found dead at sea four days after going missing in Oman. Citizens took part in a four-day rescue operation for the young boy which also involved water rescue teams and relevant authorities.Meanwhile in February 2025, two bodies of individuals who died while drowning were recovered in Ain Wadah, located in the Wilayat of Bahla, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.In October 2024, two children were involved in a drowning incident, from which one survived while the other passed away. The incident took place in Al Haddah area in the Wilayat of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, according to Oman police.In another incident, the Sultanate's police evacuated a medical case from one of the mountainous areas in Wadi Bani Ghafir in the Wilayat of Rustaq. The victim was taken to the Rustaq Reference Hospital for necessary treatment, as per the Royal Oman Police.Two dead, several injured after fatal multi-vehicle collision in Oman4 killed, 3 injured in Oman road accident; Indian among deceased, media reports sayOman police rescue 15 after boat collides with navigation buoy in Musandam
Three tourists died and two were injured after a boat capsized in Oman, the Sultanate's police announced on Tuesday, January 27. The boat was carrying 25 French tourists, along with a tour guide and the boat's captain, when the incident occurred.
The bodies of the deceased and the injured passengers were transferred to the marine pier at Sultan Qaboos Port, where Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority teams provided medical assistance and handled the remains.
The two tourists who sustained minor injuries were treated at the scene by ambulance crews. Police said a joint investigation team, comprising the Royal Oman Police and relevant authorities from the transport and tourism sectors, has been formed to examine all aspects of the incident.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Where did the tourist boat capsize in Oman?
Preliminary information indicated that the boat capsized 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port in the Wilayat of Muttrah. Local media reported the boat was headed to the Dimaniyat Islands, a diving hotspot northwest of the capital known for its pristine underwater environment.
Coast Guard teams reached the site within approximately five minutes of the incident. Rescue boats recovered the bodies and evacuated other passengers with assistance from tourist boats in the area, Colonel Mohammed bin Salman Al-Hashemi, Director of Security Relations and Media at the Royal Oman Police, said. He added that diving and maritime rescue teams later located the missing individuals and transported them to receive the necessary medical care.
Government response
Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of France and to the families of the victims after the tragic incident.
The authority appreciated the efforts of the rescue and ambulance teams in dealing with the incident, affirming that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the accident which took place in the Mahout Province. It also wished for a speedy recovery for the injured.
Meanwhile, France's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Known for its beautiful ocean and beaches which have become a magnet for tourists, the country's authorities often alert people of the dangers at sea and dynamic weather conditions.
Back in March of last year, a child was found dead at sea four days after going missing in Oman. Citizens took part in a four-day rescue operation for the young boy which also involved water rescue teams and relevant authorities.
Meanwhile in February 2025, two bodies of individuals who died while drowning were recovered in Ain Wadah, located in the Wilayat of Bahla, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
In October 2024, two children were involved in a drowning incident, from which one survived while the other passed away. The incident took place in Al Haddah area in the Wilayat of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, according to Oman police.
In another incident, the Sultanate's police evacuated a medical case from one of the mountainous areas in Wadi Bani Ghafir in the Wilayat of Rustaq. The victim was taken to the Rustaq Reference Hospital for necessary treatment, as per the Royal Oman Police.
What's Your Reaction?
