Indian Crew Member Missing After Container Ship Struck in Strait of Hormuz

GFS Galaxy - Photographer: Bengt-Rune Inberg - ShipSpotting.com

An Indian crew member remains missing after the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Cyprus's Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

The incident occurred in one of the world's busiest and most strategically important maritime corridors, amid escalating military tensions in the region.

Crew Evacuated After Attack

Cypriot authorities said the vessel was hit during the early hours of Sunday, forcing the crew to abandon ship using a lifeboat. A total of 23 crew members were subsequently rescued by the Oman Navy.

However, one crew member—an Indian national serving as the ship's third engineer—remains unaccounted for.

"The vessel is currently under tow toward the nearest safe anchorage at the UAE port of Khor Fakkan. The towing team is actively conducting a search operation to locate the missing crew member," Cyprus' Deputy Ministry of Shipping said.

Ship Being Towed to Safety

The damaged vessel is now being towed to Khor Fakkan, one of the United Arab Emirates' major ports, while authorities continue efforts to locate the missing engineer.

No further information has been released regarding the extent of the ship's damage or the condition of the rescued crew members.

Rising Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

The attack comes amid heightened military activity in the Gulf region. Following the incident, the United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran after the Cyprus-flagged vessel was attacked.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed responsibility for stopping the vessel, stating it had targeted a ship that had "jeopardized maritime security by switching off its systems" and attempted to transit through what it described as an unauthorized route despite repeated warnings to alter its course.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and commercial shipping traffic. The latest incident underscores the increasing risks faced by merchant vessels operating in the region as geopolitical tensions continue to escalate. Search operations for the missing crew member remain ongoing.