22 Indian Seafarers Rescued After Tanker Fire Off UAE Coast
All 22 Indian crew members aboard the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM No. 2 have been successfully rescued after a suspected drone attack set the vessel ablaze off the UAE coast.
The dramatic incident began on October 9, 2026, while the tanker was positioned at the Sharjah Anchorage. Managed by Global Energy Maritime, the vessel was transporting approximately 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil when the fire broke out. By October 10, the tanker was fully engulfed in flames near the Ras Al Khaimah coast, in close proximity to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Rapid Rescue by UAE Coast Guard
Following a distress call, the UAE National Guard Coast Guard launched an emergency response to evacuate the crew. All 22 Indian nationals were successfully pulled from the burning vessel and provided with immediate first aid. Authorities have since confirmed that all crew members are in stable condition.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed on October 11 that the rescued seafarers are safe and are currently receiving all necessary assistance. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also confirmed the attack, stating that government authorities are working closely with ship managers to monitor the developing situation.
Conflicting Reports on the Cause
While the incident is widely suspected to be a drone attack, reports regarding the cause of the fire remain contradictory:
- UK Maritime Trade Operations: Reported suspicious radio communications in the area and noted a separate incident involving an outbound tanker struck by an unknown projectile.
- Iran's IRGC: Alleged that the supertanker struck naval mines while attempting an unauthorized exit from the Strait of Hormuz. Footage has circulated showing the MT GEM No. 2 burning heavily.
Rising Risks for Indian Seafarers
This latest attack is part of a surge in regional tensions that have seen repeated strikes on maritime infrastructure since late February. The safety of Indian maritime workers has become a critical concern, with reports indicating that at least 11 Indian seafarers have died in Gulf-related incidents this year.
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that at least six Indian nationals have died and one remains missing across Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Iraq. The escalating conflict has also prompted a significant migration shift, with more than 300,000 Indians returning home since the tensions intensified.
The scale of the risk is significant given the massive Indian population in the region, including over 4 million residents in the UAE and 2.75 million in Saudi Arabia, alongside large communities in Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain who face ongoing risks from regional airspace and shipping tensions.