Three French tourists have died and two others were injured after a sightseeing boat carrying a group of French holidaymakers capsized off the coast of Muscat on Tuesday, in one of the most serious maritime accidents to hit Oman’s growing tourism sector in recent years. The vessel, which was headed toward the popular Damaniyat Islands marine reserve, overturned in the Gulf of Oman a short distance from shore, triggering a rapid rescue response and a wider review of tour-boat safety.

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What Happened Off the Coast of Muttrah

According to statements from Omani authorities, the accident occurred on the morning of January 27, 2026, roughly 2.5 nautical miles from Sultan Qaboos Port in the Wilayat of Muttrah, part of the Muscat governorate. The boat was carrying a group of 25 French tourists, along with a local tour guide and the captain, when it capsized in choppy waters. All three of the deceased were French nationals, while two others sustained what officials described as minor injuries.

Emergency services were alerted after reports that the vessel had overturned on its way from the marina area near Muttrah toward the Damaniyat Islands, a cluster of uninhabited islets northwest of Muscat known for coral reefs and turtle nesting grounds. Witnesses and local media said a passing boat returning to a nearby marina was among the first to reach the scene and helped pull passengers from the water before specialized rescue teams arrived.

The Royal Oman Police and the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority deployed patrol vessels, ambulances and medical personnel to the site. Officials confirmed that all passengers and crew were accounted for, with the bodies of the three victims recovered and transferred to the relevant authorities to complete legal and forensic procedures.

Tourists Caught in Sudden Deterioration of Sea Conditions

Initial accounts from boat operators and witnesses suggest that conditions at sea worsened rapidly on Tuesday morning, despite days of already unsettled weather along parts of Oman’s coast. Operators reported that the sea had been rough in recent days but remained navigable, with many tours continuing to depart for coastal excursions and snorkeling trips. On this voyage, however, waves reportedly intensified and wind picked up as the vessel headed away from Muttrah.

Some local reports indicated that the boat may have begun taking on water after an engine malfunction left it struggling to maneuver in the waves. While investigators have not reached a formal conclusion, the combination of mechanical difficulties and changing sea conditions is being closely examined as a possible chain of events that led to the capsizing. Maritime authorities are also reviewing whether all standard safety protocols, including load limits and equipment checks, were fully observed before the boat left port.

Rescue officials said several of the passengers showed signs of shock and cold exposure after being pulled from the water. Medical teams provided treatment on site, including oxygen support where needed, before transporting some survivors for further evaluation. The two injured individuals were described as being in stable condition.

Rescue Efforts and Emergency Response

Images released by Oman’s Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority showed emergency vehicles clustered along the Muttrah waterfront and rescue boats operating near the harbor entrance. Authorities said rescue units responded within minutes of receiving the distress alert, coordinating between coastal patrols, ambulance crews and port officials to locate and recover those on board.

Officials credited both professional responders and nearby boat operators with preventing a higher death toll. A vessel returning to Marina Al Bandar reportedly took part in the rescue, picking up several passengers from the water before handing them over to emergency teams. Other tour operators in the area were instructed to stay clear of the immediate search zone while remaining on standby to assist if needed.

The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority reported that three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were treated for minor injuries on board ambulances. All remaining tourists and crew were safely brought to shore and given medical and psychological support. Authorities have not indicated that anyone remains missing in connection with the incident.

Investigation Under Way Into Cause and Safety Practices

The Royal Oman Police have launched a formal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, including the technical condition of the vessel, the qualifications of its operators and the precise timeline of events at sea. Maritime inspectors are expected to examine the boat’s maintenance records, safety equipment, passenger manifest and any available tracking or communications data.

Among the factors being scrutinized are weather forecasts at the time of departure, the decision to proceed with the trip despite unsettled conditions, and whether all passengers were wearing life jackets when the boat ran into trouble. Early local accounts have suggested that not everyone on board had life jackets properly fastened, a detail that, if confirmed, may prompt stricter enforcement of safety rules for tour operators.

Officials have not publicly named the company that operated the vessel, but industry sources in Muscat say the operator was licensed and regularly conducted sightseeing trips to nearby coastal attractions. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, authorities could announce new operational guidelines, temporary suspensions or additional training requirements for similar ventures in the region.

Reactions from Oman and France

Oman’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing its condolences to the government and people of France, as well as to the families and friends of the victims. The ministry conveyed what it described as sincere condolences and deepest sympathy, and wished a swift recovery to those injured. The statement also publicly acknowledged the work of the rescue and ambulance teams who responded to the accident.

French authorities have been in contact with Omani officials to coordinate consular support for the survivors and to assist in repatriation procedures for the deceased. France’s diplomatic mission in Oman is expected to provide translation, liaison and logistical support to affected families, many of whom will now have to navigate legal and administrative steps far from home.

The tragedy has prompted messages of sympathy from across the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which in recent years have increasingly marketed Oman as a quieter, nature-focused alternative to the skyscraper-lined resorts of neighboring Gulf states. Tour operators, hotels and local guides in Muscat have signaled their willingness to cooperate fully with investigators and to review their own safety protocols in light of the accident.

Oman’s Tourism Ambitions and Safety Record

Oman, situated on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has been steadily expanding its tourism industry, highlighting its dramatic mountain ranges, desert landscapes and largely undeveloped coastline. The Damaniyat Islands, reachable by boat from Muscat, are a centerpiece of these efforts, drawing divers, snorkelers and wildlife enthusiasts who come to see colorful coral reefs, whale sharks and nesting sea turtles.

Prior to Tuesday’s accident, Oman had largely avoided the kind of large-scale tourist-boat disasters that have periodically struck other destinations around the world. The government has emphasized regulated growth and sustainable tourism, including marine reserves and caps on certain types of coastal development. Nevertheless, the incident near Muttrah underscores the inherent vulnerabilities of small passenger vessels operating in open seas, particularly during periods of unsettled weather.

Industry observers say the tragedy is likely to prompt a fresh round of safety audits across Omani marinas and tour companies, with particular attention to adherence to capacity limits, condition of engines and hulls, and the availability and proper use of life-saving equipment. While authorities have not indicated plans to halt boat excursions entirely, near-term restrictions or temporary suspensions on certain routes or operators remain possible while investigations proceed.

Impact on Local Operators and Visitor Confidence

For local tour operators and the wider travel ecosystem in Muscat, the capsizing comes at a sensitive time. Oman has been seeking to rebound from the global tourism slowdown of recent years and to attract more visitors from Europe and beyond. French travelers have been a growing segment of that market, drawn by cultural tourism in Muscat, hiking in the Hajar Mountains and coastal excursions that combine dolphin watching, snorkeling and beach stops.

Travel agents and boat operators acknowledge that incidents of this kind can have an outsized psychological impact on potential visitors, even when overall safety records remain relatively strong. Some companies are already discussing enhanced pre-departure briefings, more visible safety drills and clearer communication about weather risks as ways to reassure guests. Others are reviewing contingency plans for trips that need to be canceled or cut short when sea conditions deteriorate.

Travel insurers and European tour wholesalers are also likely to examine the details of the accident before adjusting coverage conditions or risk assessments for the destination. While there is no immediate indication of mass cancellations, tourism boards and industry partners recognize that transparent communication and demonstrable improvements in safety practices could be decisive in maintaining confidence in Omani coastal excursions.

Calls for Stronger Maritime Safety Standards

The Muttrah capsizing has reignited debate over small-boat safety standards in popular tourist regions worldwide. Maritime specialists note that many sightseeing vessels operate close to coastlines and may be perceived as low-risk, even when changing weather conditions and mechanical issues can quickly escalate into emergencies. The latest tragedy has prompted calls from some analysts and safety advocates for stricter rules governing vessel inspections, real-time weather monitoring and mandatory use of life jackets throughout voyages.

In Oman, regulators are expected to review whether current laws and guidelines sufficiently address the volume and nature of tourist boat traffic around Muscat and the Damaniyat Islands. Questions likely to feature in the review include whether there should be tighter thresholds for canceling or postponing trips due to forecast swell or wind, whether operators need enhanced training in emergency response, and how to ensure that passengers receive clear and enforceable safety instructions.

For international travelers, the accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of paying close attention to safety briefings, asking questions about equipment and capacity, and being aware of environmental conditions, even in seemingly calm and scenic settings. As authorities in Oman work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deaths of three French tourists near Muscat, the broader tourism industry will be watching closely for lessons that can be applied well beyond the shores of the Gulf of Oman.