22 Indians Safe After Drone Attack on Oil Tanker Near UAE
A massive crude oil supertanker was targeted by a drone attack on Friday, October 9, 2026, while anchored near the Sharjah coast. Despite the strike, all 22 Indian crew members on board have been confirmed safe.
Details of the Strike
The vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged MT GEM NO. 2, was hit approximately 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera. The projectile strike triggered a fire on the ship, which the crew managed to extinguish successfully before the situation escalated.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, noting that the tanker was fully laden at the time of the attack. The vessel is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) with a capacity of over 300,000 tonnes, measuring 330 meters in length.
Government Response and Vessel Profile
Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the safety of the crew on Saturday. He stated that the Indian government is maintaining constant contact with the ship's management to ensure the continued welfare of the Indian nationals on board.
The MT GEM NO. 2 is owned by GEM NO. 2 Maritime Corp and is commercially managed by Taiwan-based Global Energy Maritime Co Ltd. The vessel was built in 2017 and is a significant asset in the global crude oil transport network.
Expanding Maritime Danger Zones
While no specific group has claimed responsibility for the drone strike, the incident occurred amidst heightened regional tensions. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has recently issued renewed warnings to vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime experts have pointed out a concerning trend: although this attack occurred outside the immediate Hormuz area, it suggests that maritime danger zones are expanding beyond traditional conflict points.
A Pattern of Recent Attacks
This strike follows a series of violent incidents involving commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the region:
- MT On Peace: A Panama-flagged vessel where 11 Indians were injured off the coast of Oman just days prior.
- MV Cape Dao: An attack near Musandam, Oman, which resulted in the tragic death of 26-year-old Suraj Yadav from Uttar Pradesh in September.
Official figures highlight the growing risk; since the intensification of the conflict in late February 2026, at least six Indians have been killed and one remains missing in various Gulf maritime incidents.
Impact on the Expat Community
The ongoing security concerns are having a profound impact on the workforce in the region. Approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers currently operate within the Gulf. Furthermore, amid airspace closures and heightened security risks, over 300,000 Indian expats have recently departed the region.
Indian diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, and Riyadh are actively working to assist with medical aid and repatriation efforts as maritime safety risks for civilian workers remain elevated.