Speaking IRNA, Kianersi said all the fireboats in the region joined the rescue operation on Friday.

Briefing the IRNA on the latest updates regarding the stricken Sanchi oil tanker which collided with a Chinese balk freighter on Saturday evening, the NITC official added that a Japanese fireboat joined the firefighting operation on Friday morning, adding the flames have reduced dramatically.

He expressed hope that the fire will be completely extinguished on Friday, adding all the available resources are mobilized to put the fire out so that the fate of the tanker’s 30 missing crew will be determined. 

He underlined the instruction of Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, saying the Chinese official issued significant instructions for taking the required action to save the missing tanker crew.

Kianersi said the wind is moving the tanker in a direction that is favourable for the arrival of Chinese fireboats. 

Sanchi tanker which was carrying 970,000 barrels of gas condensate to South Korea collided with a Chinese balk freighter on Saturday evening. The tanker is now 190 miles off Japan’s Okinawa. 

A Japanese fireboat is dispatched to the spot to help firefighting operations.