Three Indonesian crew members are reported missing after the United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to a statement from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The tugboat, which had a total of seven crew members from Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, caught fire following an explosion before sinking. Four crew members survived, while three Indonesians remain unaccounted for.
The incident occurred as the Musaffah 2 was reportedly assisting the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige, which was struck by a missile earlier in the week. Local authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.
One Indonesian survivor is receiving treatment for burns at a hospital in Khasab, Oman. The missing crew members are still being searched for by local authorities. Another Indonesian national who was present at the scene has been safely relocated to a different vessel.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen multiple attacks on ships since the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated on February 28, raising concerns over maritime safety in the region.
UAE Tugboat Sinks in Strait of Hormuz, Three Indonesian Crew Members Missing
