The United Arab Emirates National Guard rescued 22 people from a burning cargo ship in the Sea of Oman on Sunday, November 8, 2026, according to an official statement from the UAE's National Guard.
The rescue operation was conducted by the UAE National Guard's Coast Guard unit after receiving a distress report from the ship's crew indicating a fire had broken out on board. The incident occurred in the Sea of Oman, east of Khor Fakkan, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which received notification of the emergency.
The National Guard statement said that specialized response teams immediately initiated emergency procedures upon receiving the distress call. The teams successfully located the cargo vessel, reached it, and evacuated all 22 crew members from the burning ship. All those rescued are Arab nationals.
Following their evacuation, the rescued crew members received necessary first aid treatment and were transferred to relevant authorities. The National Guard reported that all 22 individuals were in stable health condition following the rescue.
The UAE National Guard emphasized in its statement that the successful operation demonstrated the high level of readiness and operational capability of its personnel. The statement highlighted the organization's commitment to rapid response to maritime emergencies and its dedication to protecting lives and ensuring maritime safety and security in the region.