A fatal incident involving two oil tankers operated by the United Arab Emirates has claimed the life of one crew member and injured eight others. The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that the vessels, named Mombasa and Al Bahyah, were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage.
The attack resulted in the death of an Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa, and among the injured, four sustained serious injuries. Both tankers incurred substantial damage. The UAE has strongly denounced the missile strike, labeling it a grave breach of international law that endangers regional security and the safety of maritime navigation.
Efforts to rescue those affected were promptly undertaken by Oman’s Maritime Security Centre, which reported that 18 crew members from Al Bahyah were successfully rescued, although three remain unaccounted for. The composition of the crew across the two vessels was largely Indian, with 30 out of 46 crew members hailing from India.
The Indian government has expressed its condemnation of the attack, extending condolences to the bereaved families and affirming its collaboration with local authorities to support those impacted by the incident. The backdrop of escalating tensions in the region has been further intensified by this latest attack, leading to a surge in global oil prices, which have now reached a four-week high due to growing concerns over the security of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.