Indian crew of 22 rescued safely after maritime incident off UAE coast

All 22 Indian crew members aboard a commercial tanker operating off the coast of the United Arab Emirates have been rescued safely and are unhurt following a maritime incident, the Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed.

Local maritime services and regional emergency responders assisted the crew after distress calls were issued from waters off the coast, near the Sharjah anchorage. Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE moved quickly to establish contact with local port authorities, the ship's operators, and the seafarers themselves to verify their welfare.

What happened off the UAE coast

The incident took place while the vessel, identified in maritime tracking and shipping alerts as the Panama-flagged crude tanker GEM NO. 2, was positioned in anchorage waters off the emirate of Sharjah.

Emergency services launched an immediate operation after an alert was raised from the vessel. While initial reports confirmed an explosion or impact on board, the precise cause of the disruption remains subject to investigation. Conflicting claims emerged shortly after the event: some maritime security bulletins indicated a potential drone attack or airborne projectile, whereas regional maritime reports pointed toward an underwater mine strike. UAE maritime officials have not yet released a definitive statement detailing the weapon or mechanical failure responsible for the damage.

Official response and crew welfare

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 22 Indian nationals on board were accounted for and sustained no injuries. Consular teams in Dubai remain in close coordination with UAE maritime search and rescue agencies to manage consular assistance and ensure the sailors receive necessary medical check-ups and travel documentation.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintained contact with regional administrations as details unfolded. The rescue operations proceeded swiftly enough to prevent any casualties or personnel falling into distress at sea. Port authorities and the ship's managers are assessing whether the tanker requires towing to an anchorage or dry dock for hull inspection.

Heightened maritime security concerns

The incident adds to continuing security jitters across major Gulf shipping corridors, where commercial vessels have frequently faced asymmetric threats ranging from remote-controlled aerial drones to limpet mines and stray ordnance. Waters bordering the Strait of Hormuz and anchorages along Sharjah and Fujairah serve as critical transit points for international crude oil tankers, meaning even minor security incidents prompt immediate regional and diplomatic vigilance.

Officials have not yet confirmed when the crew will be repatriated to India or whether some seafarers will remain with the vessel while local maritime inspectors complete technical and forensic reviews of the hull.