A UAE-flagged tugboat, Musaffah 2, has sunk in the Strait of Hormuz following an explosion, leaving three Indonesian crew members unaccounted for, Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed.
The sinking occurred on Friday, 6th March 2026, in waters between the UAE and Oman. The tugboat carried seven crew members from Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. Four survived, while the three missing are all Indonesian nationals. According to the ministry, the vessel experienced an explosion that caused a fire before it sank. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause.
Maritime security firm Vanguard reported that Musaffah 2 was struck by two missiles while attempting to assist the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige. The container ship had been hit by a missile on Wednesday, 4th March, sustaining engine fire and was left adrift. The tug was dispatched to provide towing and repair support.
“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 foreign ministry said. Another Indonesian national present at the scene is now safe aboard a different vessel.
Search and rescue operations, including those by Omani authorities, remain ongoing. Indonesian diplomatic missions in the UAE and Oman are coordinating efforts to support affected families and monitor developments.
The sinking is part of a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli military operations against Iran on 28th February 2026. Iran has blocked passage through the strait and warned that vessels attempting transit could face attacks, disrupting global oil flows. Multiple vessels have been targeted since late February, raising concerns over energy security. The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) condemned attacks on shipping, noting severe risks to civilian seafarers.
Indonesia’s ministry reports four survivors and three missing, while the IMO referenced at least four fatalities and three severely injured in a related maritime update, though the alignment with this specific event remains unclear.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical passage for roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. Ongoing instability has prompted international calls for de-escalation and protection of civilian maritime traffic. Indonesia’s foreign ministry has urged a thorough investigation to establish the precise circumstances of the incident.
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