Drone Strike Hits Oil Tanker off Sharjah; 22 Indians Safe
An oil tanker carrying 22 Indian seafarers was struck by a drone while anchored off the coast of Sharjah on October 9, 2026. Despite the impact and a subsequent fire, all crew members on board have been confirmed safe.
The vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2 (IMO 9735373), was a 2017-built Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) fully laden with oil at the time of the attack. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 GMT, roughly 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera.
Crew Extinguishes Fire Following Projectile Hit
According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an unknown projectile struck the vessel, triggering a fire. The crew acted swiftly to manage the emergency, successfully extinguishing the flames and preventing further damage to the tanker. No injuries were reported among the 22 Indian mariners on board.
India's Union Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the attack via a post on X. He stated that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is in active coordination with the ship's management company to ensure the ongoing security and well-being of the crew.
Rising Maritime Tensions in the Persian Gulf
This latest strike is part of a worrying escalation of attacks on commercial shipping within the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions in the region have surged following the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28, 2026.
The human cost of this maritime instability has been significant for Indian nationals. Government data reveals that:
- At least 11 Indian mariners have been killed in the Persian Gulf region since the conflict began.
- An additional five deaths have been reported involving Indian seafarers in the Black Sea.
- Previous casualties include 26-year-old Suraj Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, who died aboard the MV Cape Dao near Oman.
Other vessels, such as the MT On Peace and MT Kazimah III, have also been targets of recent strikes.
Impact on Indian Seafarers in the UAE and Gulf
India remains the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, with a massive workforce operating in high-risk waters. Currently, approximately 23,000 Indian mariners are working in the Gulf, with over 12,800 of them stationed within the UAE.
While authorities have successfully repatriated more than 4,200 Indian seafarers from the Hormuz area, officials acknowledge that dozens of workers remain in high-risk zones. In response to the volatility, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued formal advisories cautioning against deploying personnel on routes that transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian diplomatic missions are currently working alongside local authorities and ship managers. The Indian government continues to advocate for enhanced maritime safety through the United Nations’ Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.