Cargo Ship With 24 Indian Crew Members Hit by Suspected Attack Near Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, Jun 8: A commercial cargo vessel carrying at least 24 Indian crew members came under a suspected drone or missile attack off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to maritime sources.

The Palau-flagged vessel was reportedly sailing about 15 nautical miles from the Omani coast when an explosion struck the ship, causing severe damage to its engine room and triggering a major fire. Preliminary reports indicate that the blast tore a hole in the engine compartment, leading to rapid flooding and loss of stability.

As conditions on board worsened, crew members issued distress calls seeking urgent assistance. Sources said some Indian seafarers were trapped on the vessel as flames spread and water entered the ship. The situation was further complicated by damage to the vessel’s lifeboats, hampering evacuation efforts.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) confirmed that Indian nationals were among those on board and said some crew members had been affected by the incident.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion, and investigations are underway. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in regional waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.