Three Indonesian nationals have been reported missing after the United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to a statement issued by Indonesia’s foreign ministry.
The incident comes amid rising attacks on vessels passing through the strategic waterway since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began on February 28.
The ministry disclosed that the tugboat had seven crew members on board, comprising nationals from Indonesia, India and the Philippines. Four crew members survived the incident, while three others, all Indonesians, remain unaccounted for.
According to the statement, the vessel caught fire following an explosion before eventually sinking.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Security firm Vanguard reported that the tugboat was hit by two missiles while it was attempting to assist the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige.
The company noted that the container ship had earlier been struck by a missile on Wednesday.
“One Indonesian survivor is currently receiving burn treatment at a hospital in the city of Khasab, Oman. The other three Indonesians are still being searched for by the local authorities,” the Indonesian ministry said.
The ministry also revealed that another Indonesian citizen who was present at the scene of the incident is now safe after moving to a different vessel.
