UKMTO reports fire on GFS Galaxy off Oman; crew evacuated, one missing. Incident highlights risks in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has shared new information regarding the fire and damage on the Cypriot-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy, which was reportedly attacked while navigating off the coast of Oman.
The incident occurred approximately 9 nautical miles east of the Omani coast during the Strait of Hormuz transit. UKMTO stated in its initial alert that military authorities reported the damage to the stern of the vessel had caused the fire. In a subsequent update, it was noted that the ship's crew had evacuated to lifeboats and were rescued by local authorities.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the ship was targeted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, sustaining severe damage in the engine room, and could not continue its voyage due to the fire. CENTCOM also reported that one civilian crew member was missing.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that out of the 11 Indian nationals aboard the ship, 10 had been rescued, and search efforts were ongoing for one sailor.
Following the incident, UKMTO urged commercial vessels in the region to navigate carefully and to report any suspicious activities immediately. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime route through which a significant portion of the world's oil trade passes, making the incident closely monitored by international maritime circles.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
