Oman Reports Missing Crew After Tanker Attack in Strait of Hormuz
Omani authorities are currently conducting an urgent search operation for two crew members who went missing following an attack on a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, identified as the ELGAIA, suffered a fire in its engine room after being struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Musandam. While the blaze has been successfully extinguished and the ship is now being towed to an Omani port, the whereabouts of the two sailors remain unknown.
The Maritime Security Centre of Oman confirmed that the Royal Navy successfully evacuated 23 other crew members, providing them with essential medical attention. Although the precise timing of the incident remains unconfirmed by officials, British maritime security monitors reported the strike occurred last Saturday. This latest maritime security concern highlights the ongoing volatility in the region, as critical shipping lanes continue to face threats amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States.