KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy said on Friday it had rescued 18 crew members of a distressed vessel in the North Arabian Sea following a search and rescue operation.
The rescued crew included nationals of China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia, who were safely recovered and provided assistance, the statement said.
“Pakistan Navy conducted a successful Search & Rescue operation… rescuing 18 crew members of MV GOLD AUTUMN after a distress call,” a navy spokesperson said.
The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency activated its Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, while naval ship PNS Hunain was deployed to the site, providing medical aid, firefighting support and damage assessment.
The crew was later transported to Karachi for medical care and repatriation, the navy said.
The North Arabian Sea forms part of one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, linking Gulf energy supplies with global markets, and routinely sees heavy commercial traffic passing close to Pakistan’s coastline.
Search and rescue operations in the region are coordinated through national maritime authorities under international conventions, with Pakistan’s navy and maritime security agency acting as first responders for incidents in its designated area.
Pakistan Navy has in recent years carried out multiple rescue and evacuation missions in regional waters, particularly involving distressed merchant vessels and fishing boats, as part of its mandate to ensure maritime safety.
