Two dead, several missing in tanker fire off UAE coast

Sharjah - The Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport said efforts are on to trace the missing persons.

Two Indian sailors died and several are reported missing after a tanker caught fire off the UAE's coast on Wednesday evening.
The Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport said efforts are on to trace the missing persons. The Authority said the fire, which broke out on board a Panamanian-flagged tanker 21 miles off the UAE coast, was quickly brought under control by firefighters.
"Rescue and emergency response teams provided relief to the crew after they received a distress call and rescued the tanker's crew," the Authority said in a statement.
According to sources, the tanker had around 55 people on board, including 12 crew members at the time of the accident. Two Indians perished in the fire while two others are reported to be critical. Another 10 are said to be missing, the source added. However, Khaleej Times could not independently verify the information and is awaiting response from the authorities on the number of affected workers.
- reporters@khaleejtimes.com