An Iranian-flagged general cargo ship issued an SOS signal in the Caspian Sea on Wednesday, January 14, prompting an immediate response by Turkmenistan’s coast guard services. The incident was reported by the press service of the ministry of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan.

“On 14 January 2026, the Coast Guard Services of Turkmenistan received the SOS signal from the Iranian dry cargo ship Rona, which was suffering in the Caspian Sea,” the Turkmenistan foreign ministry said in a statement.

The statement emphasized that “due to timely response, all 14 people on the ship were rescued.”

According to the primary information, they are citizens of Iran and India.

The government agencies of Turkmenistan responsible for emergency response and prevention took all necessary measures to rescue the people on board, in accordance with international marine regulations, the ministry said, without disclosing the nature of the incident.

Authorities in Turkmenistan are currently undertaking all relevant procedures in accordance with the international rules.

The cause of the incident for the 1983-built general cargo ship has not been officially specified.