All 22 Indian crew members serving on the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2 are safe following an attack by an unknown projectile near the Sharjah Anchorage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The incident, which occurred on Friday, October 9, resulted in a fire on the vessel that was subsequently brought under control and extinguished.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported that a vessel had been struck about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera. While the agency did not immediately identify the ship, subsequent reports from shipping and security sources confirmed the vessel involved was the MT GEM NO. 2. There has been no claim of responsibility for the strike, which took place outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the safety of the Indian nationals on board. Addressing the situation, the Minister stated, “I am relieved to share that all 22 of our Indian seafarers onboard are reported to be completely safe.” He added that the Indian government remains in constant communication with the ship's management company to monitor the situation and ensure the continued well-being of the crew.
The attack occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region. Following the incident, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy of Iran issued a renewed warning, cautioning vessels against utilizing unauthorised routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy declared that any ships found violating designated maritime paths would be pursued and warned that all maritime freight must coordinate with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority before traversing the channel. As a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments, the security of the Strait of Hormuz remains a primary concern for international maritime authorities.
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