New Delhi — An Indian sailor has died and several crewmembers were injured after a wooden dhow caught fire and capsized near the Strait of Hormuz, government sources said. The incident occurred on Friday and was reported on Saturday.
The dhow, carrying general cargo and a total of 18 Indian crew members, caught fire and subsequently capsized. A vessel passing through the area rescued 17 crew members. Authorities said the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Of those rescued, four sustained burn injuries and are receiving medical treatment in Dubai; officials described them as stable and safe. The Indian Consulate in Dubai met the survivors on Friday night and is in contact with the dhow’s owner, offering all possible assistance to the affected crew.
The incident unfolded in a region that has seen rising tensions between Iran and the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.
Indian officials and consular staff continue to monitor the situation and coordinate support for the families and the rescued seafarers while investigations into the cause of the fire remain ongoing.
