3 Indians among 13 killed by Mekunu

dubai — Three Indians were among 13 people killed by cyclone Mekunu that has battered southern Oman and the Yemeni island of Socotra, authorities and reports have said.

Cyclone Mekunu hit Oman’s Dhofar and Al Wusta provinces on Friday after intensifying from a category one to a category two cyclone, with winds of up to 170km per hour after it made landfall on Socotra on Thursday.

“Indian Embassy Team in Salalah has confirmed that as per Royal Oman Police, mortal remains of one (Shamsher Ali) of two missing Indian have been found and the search for the other (Madhu) is under way. There is no report of casualty amongst other expatriates,” the Indian Embassy in Muscat tweeted.

Embassy officials visited a camp

Indian Embassy is taking care of 50 Indian dhow crew

Indian Embassy in Oman

at Taqah in Salalah and arranged food for 460 people (145 Indians and 315 Bangladeshi nationals).

“Indian Embassy is taking care of 50 Indian dhow crew,” it said.

Salalah port authorities that four Indian registered dhows have sunk alongside the port. All Indian crew are safe, it said.

The death toll from the cyclone has reached 13.

According to AFP, Socotra’s governor Ramzy Mahrous said on Sunday that the death toll on the island remained seven — five Yemenis and two Indian sailors.

A further eight Indian sailors remain missing. — PTI, AP