Dubai: An Indian seafarer has lost his life and several others were injured after a wooden dhow caught fire and subsequently capsized near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Altaf Talab Ker, an engine driver hailing from Salaya village in the Dwarka district of Gujarat. According to government sources, the vessel, named Al Faize Noore Sulemani 1, was carrying general cargo and had 18 Indian crew members on board when the incident occurred.
While 17 crew members were successfully rescued by a passing vessel, four individuals sustained burn injuries and were transported to Dubai for medical treatment. Officials from the Indian Consulate in Dubai met with the survivors on Friday night and confirmed that the injured are currently in stable condition. The consulate is coordinating with the dhow owner to provide all necessary assistance to the sailors and their families during this time.
The tragedy comes at a time of heightened regional tension, with reports suggesting the vessel may have been caught in a violent exchange between maritime forces in the strategic chokepoint. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical corridor for global oil supplies, and recent hostilities have led to increased security risks for commercial shipping. Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the blaze as the region remains on high alert.
