NEW DELHI, November 12, 2026: All 19 Indian seafarers aboard a Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker escaped without injuries after the vessel was reportedly struck by a projectile near the United Arab Emirates coast on Wednesday, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed on Thursday.
The tanker, identified as MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY, was drifting off Mina Saqr when the incident occurred on November 11.
The UAE Coast Guard evacuated all 22 crew members, including the 19 Indian nationals, following the reported attack.
Sonowal said the Indian government remained in contact with the vessel's management company to ensure the crew received necessary assistance.
The incident comes amid growing concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where other tankers carrying Indian sailors have also reported attacks in recent days.
What Happened to MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY Near the UAE?
According to information shared by Sonowal, MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY was targeted in a projectile attack while drifting near Mina Saqr on November 11.
The vessel was operating under the Liberian flag and had 22 crew members aboard.
Of those, 19 were Indian nationals.
Following the incident, the UAE Coast Guard carried out an evacuation operation, bringing everyone aboard the vessel to safety.
The minister confirmed that none of the Indian sailors sustained injuries.
The key details of the incident are:
- Vessel: MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY
- Type: Crude oil tanker
- Flag: Liberia
- Incident date: November 11, 2026
- Location: Off Mina Saqr, United Arab Emirates
- Total crew: 22
- Indian seafarers: 19
- Crew evacuated: All 22
- Indian casualties: None reported
The available information does not establish who launched the projectile or the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.
Details concerning the tanker's damage, cargo condition and subsequent movement have also not been fully disclosed.
UAE Coast Guard Evacuates All 22 Crew Members
The safety of the crew became the immediate priority after the reported projectile strike.
According to the Indian shipping minister, the UAE Coast Guard responded and successfully evacuated everyone aboard.
Sonowal confirmed the evacuation in a statement posted on X on Thursday.
He said all 19 Indian nationals were safe and had not suffered injuries.
The minister also confirmed that Indian authorities were maintaining communication with the company responsible for managing the vessel.
The continuing coordination is intended to ensure the sailors receive appropriate welfare support and any logistical assistance they require.
However, the government has not publicly detailed whether the evacuated sailors will be repatriated, transferred to another vessel or remain in the UAE temporarily.
Those arrangements will depend on the vessel's condition, maritime authorities and the ship management company.
Three Indian Sailors Safe After Another Tanker Incident in Strait of Hormuz
The incident involving MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY was not the only maritime security alert reported on November 11.
A Saudi Arabia-flagged oil tanker, NCC FAJR, was also involved in what officials described as a possible attack while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel was carrying three Indian seafarers.
Sonowal confirmed that all three Indians, along with the remaining crew, were safe.
The government said it was monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with the ship management company.
Unlike the reported projectile strike on MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY, the circumstances surrounding the NCC FAJR incident were described as a possible attack.
The distinction is important because the exact nature of that incident had not been conclusively established in the information released by the minister.
No injuries were reported among the three Indian nationals aboard NCC FAJR.
Earlier Attack on MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY Injured an Indian Sailor
A separate incident involving another Liberia-flagged tanker was reported on November 10.
MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY was travelling through the Persian Gulf from Al Ruwais towards Dubai when it was reportedly struck by a projectile.
The vessel had 22 crew members, including six Indian nationals.
According to Sonowal, four crew members sustained injuries.
One Indian sailor suffered minor injuries and was taken ashore for a medical examination.
The remaining 18 crew members, including five Indians, were reported safe.
The shipping ministry said authorities were monitoring the incident and coordinating with the vessel's management company to provide medical assistance and other necessary support.
The three incidents underline the security concerns facing commercial vessels operating in the region.
However, there is no confirmed evidence in the reports reviewed that all three incidents were carried out by the same group or involved the same type of weapon.
Why Are Oil Tankers Facing Security Risks in the Persian Gulf?
The Persian Gulf is one of the world's most important maritime regions for the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products and other commercial cargo.
A major portion of the region's energy exports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Tankers operating in these waters can be exposed to security risks when regional conflicts intensify.
The latest incidents come amid continuing military tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
These developments have increased concerns about the safety of merchant vessels and international shipping routes.
However, the wider regional conflict should not be treated as proof that a particular government or armed group carried out the attack on MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY.
The responsible party has not been independently identified.
Maritime security assessments will be necessary to determine the circumstances of the strike and any implications for commercial shipping.
India Calls for Safe Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
India has reiterated the importance of protecting commercial shipping and maritime workers amid the regional tensions.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said New Delhi remains in contact with the concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian vessels and seafarers.
India has called for safe, free and uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The government's concerns extend to ships operating under the Indian flag as well as Indian nationals employed aboard foreign-flagged vessels.
This distinction matters because many Indian sailors work on ships registered in countries other than India.
Even when a ship is registered abroad, the safety of Indian nationals aboard remains a concern for Indian diplomatic and maritime authorities.
The incidents involving MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY, NCC FAJR and MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY demonstrate why such coordination is important.
Why the Safety of Indian Seafarers Matters
Indian seafarers form an important part of the international maritime workforce.
They work aboard oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and other commercial vessels operating across global shipping routes.
Their responsibilities include navigation, engineering, cargo handling, vessel maintenance and other essential maritime operations.
When commercial ships encounter armed attacks or other serious security threats, crew members can face risks even when they are not involved in any military activity.
Such incidents can also create uncertainty for families awaiting information about sailors working overseas.
Timely official communication, access to medical care and coordination with ship operators are therefore essential after an emergency.
In the latest incident, the successful evacuation of the crew prevented reported casualties aboard MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY.
What Happens Next After the UAE Tanker Attack?
Indian authorities are continuing to monitor developments involving tankers carrying Indian crew members in the region.
According to Sonowal, the government remains in contact with the management companies of the affected vessels to ensure the sailors' safety and welfare.
Several details surrounding the MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY incident remain unclear.
These include the origin of the projectile, the extent of damage to the vessel, its cargo condition and the arrangements being made for the evacuated crew.
Further information from maritime authorities and the ship operator will be needed to establish those details.
For now, the most important development is that all 22 crew members were evacuated safely and none of the 19 Indian nationals aboard the tanker was injured.
The incidents have also reinforced India's call for the protection of civilian shipping and seafarers operating through the strategically important waters of the Persian Gulf.
Editorial disclosure: This report is based on statements issued by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, reporting by Khaleej Times, India Today, PTI and other news organisations. All India Story has not independently inspected the vessels or established responsibility for the reported attacks.
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