Pakistan Navy rescues all 20 crew as cargo dhow sinks off Ormara: ISPR

• Swift joint operation with PMSA launched after distress call from stricken vessel: Military’s media wing

• PNS Hunain, aerial assets save all Pakistani crew members from flood-hit dhow

• Rescued sailors receive medical care following successful maritime emergency mission

 ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy (PN) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Thursday rescued all 20 crew members from a sinking cargo dhow east of Ormara in a “swift and coordinated maritime rescue operation” after the vessel developed severe flooding, according to the military’s media wing.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the cargo dhow encountered serious flooding, prompting an immediate emergency response that resulted in the successful rescue of all crew members without any loss of life.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 9 July 2026

In a swift and coordinated emergency response, Pakistan Navy in coordination with #Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has successfully rescued all 20 Pakistani crew members from a sinking cargo dhow operating east of Ormara which was… pic.twitter.com/ZWe48nvcHj

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 9, 2026

The military's media wing said the rescue operation was launched after the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre received a distress call, upon which PNS Hunain and aerial assets were immediately diverted to the affected area to assist the stricken vessel.

"All 20 crew members were safely recovered from the distressed vessel due to the professionalism displayed by the rescuers," the ISPR said, adding that all those rescued were Pakistani nationals and were being provided the necessary medical attention following the operation.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 9 July 2026

In a swift and coordinated emergency response, Pakistan Navy in coordination with #Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has successfully rescued all 20 Pakistani crew members from a sinking cargo dhow operating east of Ormara which was… pic.twitter.com/8sEtFoeULx

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 9, 2026

The statement said the successful rescue highlighted the Pakistan Navy's and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency's operational preparedness, professionalism and ability to respond promptly to maritime emergencies.

"The successful operation underscores Pakistan Navy's and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency's unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of life at sea and its readiness to respond to maritime emergencies around the clock," the ISPR added.

The latest operation adds to a series of recent humanitarian rescue missions carried out by Pakistan's maritime forces.

In May, the Pakistan Navy and PMSA provided humanitarian assistance to more than half a dozen sailors stranded aboard an Indian offshore tug and supply vessel in the Arabian Sea, according to security sources.

Earlier, in April, the Pakistan Navy successfully rescued 18 crew members, including foreign nationals, from a merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea after responding to another distress call, demonstrating its continued capability to conduct timely search-and-rescue operations in regional waters.