Dubai: An oil tanker came under attack off the coast of Mina Saqr in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), triggering a fire onboard and causing significant damage to the vessel. All 22 crew members, including 19 Indians, were safely rescued, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed.

The vessel, MT Dominica Prosperity, sailing under the Liberian flag, was reportedly attacked near the UAE coastline. Following the attack, the tanker caught fire and suffered extensive damage, with the vessel reportedly listing to one side.

In a post on social media platform X, Minister Sonowal said the UAE Coast Guard promptly reached the location after receiving information about the incident and successfully rescued all crew members.

The Indian government is maintaining regular communication with the shipping company to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian sailors involved in the incident.

Series of Tanker Attacks Raise Maritime Security Concerns

The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks involving oil tankers in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday, the Saudi-flagged oil tanker NCC Fajr was reportedly attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Three Indian crew members onboard were safely rescued.

Earlier, on November 10, another oil tanker, MT Fujairah Energy, was attacked in the Persian Gulf while travelling from Al Ruwais to Dubai.

The vessel was carrying 22 crew members, including six Indians. Four sailors, including one Indian national, sustained injuries in the attack and were subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment.

The remaining 18 crew members were reported to be safe, according to Minister Sonowal.

India Closely Monitoring Safety of Indian Sailors

With multiple incidents involving commercial vessels reported in the Gulf region, the Indian government is closely monitoring maritime security developments and coordinating with shipping companies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers.

The latest tanker attack has once again raised concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes and maritime operations in the strategically important Gulf region.