India, June 12 -- An urgent distress call from an Indian-crewed oil tanker struck by US forces off the coast of Oman has revealed the moments of panic aboard the vessel as sailors reported a fire, flooding and feared the ship was sinking.

The audio clip, which surfaced days after the incident, captures a crew member aboard MT Marivex pleading for immediate assistance after what he described as a missile strike on the vessel's engine room.

"Sir, this is motor tanker Marivex... we have fire on board and vessel is sinking," the crew member said in the SOS message.

"US Navy attack, the missile on our engine room. We have hole at the bottom. We have fire onboard, please help. Please help, please help."

The crew member repeatedly stressed t...