A fatal incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz when two oil tankers operated by the United Arab Emirates were struck, resulting in one crew member’s death and injuries to eight others. According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, the tankers, named Mombasa and Al Bahyah, were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles while navigating the crucial maritime corridor.
The attack led to the death of an Indian crew member on the Mombasa, with four of the injured individuals suffering serious injuries. The UAE government has strongly condemned the assault, labeling it a grave breach of international law that endangers regional security and maritime navigation.
Rescue efforts were underway, as Oman’s Maritime Security Centre reported that 18 crew members from the Al Bahyah had been saved, while three remained unaccounted for. The situation has raised alarm in the region, particularly for India, which confirmed that 30 out of the 46 crew members aboard the two vessels were Indian nationals. The Indian government expressed its condemnation of the attack, offered condolences to the victims’ families, and committed to collaborating with local authorities to support those impacted.
This latest escalation has intensified tensions in the already volatile region, driving global oil prices to reach a four-week high due to concerns over the security of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.