Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, May 9: An Indian seafarer lost his life while four others sustained burn injuries after a wooden dhow carrying 18 Indian crew members capsized near the Strait of Hormuz following a fire onboard, official sources confirmed on Saturday.
The incident occurred on Friday in the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz region amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing Iran-US conflict and heightened security concerns over reported drone activity in the area.
According to sources, the wooden dhow was transporting general cargo when the fire broke out. Authorities are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the blaze that eventually led to the vessel capsizing.
“A wooden dhow carrying general cargo, with 18 Indian crew members onboard, capsized close to the Strait of Hormuz after catching fire. The exact cause of the fire is being ascertained. The crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. In the incident, one Indian crew member died while four others suffered burn injuries. The injured are undergoing treatment in Dubai and are safe,” a government source said.
The source added that officials from the Indian Consulate met the rescued Indian nationals on Friday night and are coordinating with the dhow owner while extending all possible support and assistance to the crew members and their families.
Earlier on Friday, the Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed the incident through a post on X and expressed grief over the death of the Indian crew member.
“The Consulate is saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident at sea that caused the tragic death of an Indian crew member of a ship. The Consulate is in touch with the owner of the ship and is ascertaining further details. The Consulate will render all possible assistance in this matter on priority. Our deepest condolences,” the Consulate stated.
The incident comes amid growing instability in West Asia and rising risks to commercial shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key global energy transit corridors.
Regional tensions intensified after joint US-Israel strikes reportedly targeted Tehran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and US military bases across Gulf nations. The conflict has also led to disruptions and security threats in and around the Strait of Hormuz, increasing risks for commercial vessels operating in the region.
Similar incidents involving threats and attacks on Indian crew members in the Gulf region have also been reported in the past.