All 22 crew evacuated after tanker strike off Mina Saqr

A projectile struck the Liberia-flagged tanker Dominica Prosperity off Mina Saqr on November 11, and all 22 crew members were evacuated safely, India’s shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. The crew included 19 Indian seafarers, none of whom was reported injured.

The UAE Coast Guard carried out the evacuation, according to Sonowal, who said the vessel was drifting off the coast near Mina Saqr. The tanker’s other three crew members were also reported safe. Sonowal said Indian authorities were in contact with the ship management company to coordinate the crew’s welfare and logistical support.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that an unidentified projectile struck the tanker at about 1800 UTC on November 11, roughly 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah. Its warning said the projectile hit the engine room, and that firefighting was still underway on Thursday, November 12. The agency reported no casualties.

The full extent of damage to the vessel and any environmental impact had not been established in the agency’s account. The sources did not identify who fired the projectile. Sonowal described the incident as a projectile attack, while the UKMTO report...