Dubai | Amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, the Indian Embassy in Muscat on Thursday said it is "closely monitoring" an incident involving a vessel off an Oman port earlier in the day.

In a post on X, the Indian mission said: “We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details.”

It did not disclose further details about the vessel and the people on board.

The Forward Seamen's Union of India, meanwhile, posted photographs of thick smoke billowing from a vessel which, it said, could have 20 Indian seafarers on board.

It could not be immediately verified whether it was the same vessel about which the Indian Embassy in Muscat had posted.

The latest alert by the Indian mission came a day after a commercial vessel with Indian seafarers on board came under US military attack off the Oman coast, following which India summoned the US charge d'affaires and lodged a strong protest.

Three Indian seafarers were killed in Wednesday's attack, said Sarbananda Sonowal, the minister of ports, shipping and waterways.

Earlier, on Monday, 24 Indian crew members of a merchant tanker were rescued in coordination with Omani authorities, following a missile attack on the vessel off the Oman coast.