Attack on oil tanker near UAE:19 Indian sailors on board, all safe; 15 Indian seafarers died in 8 months

A tanker carrying crude oil was attacked near the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday. A total of 22 people, including 19 Indian sailors, were on board. The UAE Coast Guard evacuated everyone safely. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal provided the information on Thursday. He said the Indian government was in contact with the ship’s management company. The attacked vessel was flying the Liberian flag. It was named MT Dominica Prosperity. It was near the UAE’s Mina Saqr coast. 15 Indian sailors killed in eight months in West Asia Fifteen Indian sailors have been killed since the conflict began in West Asia on 28 February 2026. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal provided the information on 3 November. According to him, a total of 23 Indian nationals had lost their lives in the conflict so far, including 15 sailors. More than 4,500 Indian sailors on ships in the Gulf region Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that more than 4,500 Indian sailors were aboard commercial vessels operating in the Gulf region. According to Jaiswal, there are six Indian-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. In addition, six foreign-flagged vessels are carrying goods for India. Around 163 Indian sailors are aboard these 12 vessels. He had said that the Shipping Ministry was monitoring the movement of these vessels. Indian embassies, in coordination with local agencies, were monitoring the sailors’ safety and gathering information about their condition. India had raised concerns at the United Nations over the safety of sailors On 26 September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had expressed concern over attacks on commercial vessels and sailors at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar had said, New threats at sea are aggravating the crises already present on land. Indian sailors, as well as sailors from other countries, have lost their lives. This is completely unacceptable. Jaishankar also appealed for an immediate reduction in tensions and the exercise of restraint in the Gulf region. He said this would ensure the safety of the crews of ships working for ordinary people and allow global trade to continue uninterrupted, along with energy supplies. ​