Multiple ships on fire after collision in Gulf of Oman; UAE forces rescue 24 crew

At least three ships are reportedly on fire in the Gulf of Oman, near the vital Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports and satellite data.

According to the UAE National Guard, a collision between two ships prompted an emergency rescue operation.

“The Coast Guard of the National Guard carried out today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, an evacuation mission involving 24 crew members of the oil tanker ADALYNN, following a collision between two ships in the Gulf of Oman. The ship’s crew was evacuated from the incident site, located 24 nautical miles off the country’s coast, to the Port of Khor Fakkan using search and rescue boats,” the National Guard stated on X.

Unverified images circulating on social media showed flames and plumes of smoke rising from the sea, with some users claiming the visuals depicted oil tankers ablaze near the Iranian coastline. These claims remain unverified so far, though satellite and maritime data suggest an incident did occur.

The fire was reported on board a vessel approximately 22 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and authorities have not confirmed if it is related to the ship collision.

UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed awareness of a vessel-related incident near Khor Fakkan in UAE waters.

The company said it is monitoring the situation, which unfolded in a strategic maritime corridor that handles a significant share of the world’s oil transportation. While Ambrey did not release further details, its acknowledgment lends credibility to online reports of a burning vessel in the region.

NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected three active fire zones in the Gulf of Oman. Satellite heat signatures showed fresh activity not recorded in previous days, suggesting the fires are recent.

Despite the mounting claims, Iranian officials and other international authorities have not issued formal statements regarding the situation. It remains unclear whether any of the vessels were deliberately attacked or suffered mechanical or navigational failures.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman to the Persian Gulf, has historically been a flashpoint for naval confrontations and oil tanker incidents. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through this narrow maritime route, making any disruptions potentially significant for global energy markets.

Regional and international maritime agencies are expected to provide further clarity once investigations and daylight assessments are completed.