Indian sailor killed after dhow catches fire near Strait of Hormuz

An Indian sailor lost his life while four others sustained injuries after a wooden cargo dhow caught fire and reportedly sank near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the growing risks faced by seafarers operating in the conflict-hit Gulf region.

According to reports, the vessel involved in the incident was the wooden dhow AL FAIZE NOORE SULEMANI 1, carrying 18 Indian crew members onboard. The dhow had departed Dubai on 7 May and was reportedly bound for Mukalla, Yemen, when the fire broke out while crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Government sources stated that all crew members were rescued by a passing vessel after the dhow caught fire at sea. One Indian crew member died in the incident, while four injured sailors are currently receiving medical treatment in Dubai. Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the blaze.

The incident comes amid severe maritime security tensions across the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding Gulf waters, where multiple merchant vessels have faced attacks, drone incidents and navigation threats in recent weeks. Maritime organizations and seafarer unions have raised concerns over the increasing danger to commercial shipping crews operating in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy shipping corridors, handling a significant share of global crude oil and LNG trade. However, ongoing regional instability has forced several operators to reroute vessels, delay sailings and adopt alternative logistics corridors to maintain trade flows.