Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP) has launched an investigation into a fatal maritime accident involving a tourist boat capsizing in Muttrah, resulting in the deaths of three French nationals.

The vessel was carrying 25 French tourists, along with a tour guide and the boat’s captain, when it overturned 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port, according to an official statement. Two other passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the site.

Emergency teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority were immediately dispatched following reports of the accident.

An official at the authority said, “Upon receiving the report of the tourist boat capsizing, the water rescue and ambulance teams responded immediately to Sultan Qaboos Port.”

The official added that several passengers had already been rescued by nearby boats before emergency teams arrived. “Three bodies were recovered and transferred to the relevant authorities to complete legal procedures,” the official said, noting that rescue and response operations were completed in less than an hour from the time of the initial report.

The authority stated that the majority of those affected were elderly tourists. Some passengers were treated for shock and hypothermia after being exposed to the water. “We recorded the vital signs of the injured and provided oxygen until their condition stabilised. The cases were classified as mild, and the injured were transferred to health facilities for further medical evaluation,” the official said.

Preliminary observations indicated that some passengers were not wearing life jackets at the time of the trip. “Wearing a life jacket may seem inconvenient to some, but in emergencies it makes a significant difference in survival,” the official said, stressing the importance of strict adherence to safety requirements, particularly when tourists and elderly passengers are involved.

ROP said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances and cause of the accident. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details pending the outcome of official inquiries.