UAE rescues 22 after fire breaks out on cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

The National Guard of the UAE has successfully rescued 22 individuals after a fire erupted on a cargo ship located in the Gulf of Oman. All 22 evacuees were nationals of Arab countries and were safely removed by the Coast Guard division of the National Guard. This operation underscores the force's ongoing commitment to safeguarding lives at sea and maintaining maritime security in the region, as highlighted by the National Guard in a statement quoted by the state news agency Wam.

The Gulf of Oman serves as a vital shipping route for both regional and global trade, underscoring the critical importance of swift and effective emergency responses to ensure the safety of vessels and their crews. According to a report from November 8, 2026, the National Guard has a history of such rescues, most recently in October when they assisted 22 Asian nationals after an oil tanker caught fire in the Arabian Gulf.

All of those individuals were treated for injuries and are currently in stable condition. The Coast Guard division works closely with federal and emirate-level entities to provide extensive coverage along the UAE's coastline and throughout the broader Arabian Gulf, where maritime incidents are frequent due to the high volume of vessel traffic in the area.