Indian Sailor Killed After Dhow Catches Fire Near Strait of Hormuz, 17 Rescued

An Indian sailor was killed and four others suffered burn injuries after a wooden dhow carrying general cargo caught fire and capsized near the Strait of Hormuz , as tensions continue to escalate across the Gulf region.

Government sources said the dhow had 18 Indian crew members on board when the fire broke out on Friday near the strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The remaining 17 crew members were rescued by a passing vessel operating in the area. The exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

The four injured sailors are undergoing treatment in Dubai and are reported to be safe. Officials from the Indian Consulate in Dubai met the rescued crew members on Friday night and are coordinating with the dhow owner to provide all possible assistance . The mission also expressed condolences to the deceased sailor’s family.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-hit Gulf waters amid rising hostilities involving Iran and the US . The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, making it one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints.

If officially linked to the ongoing regional conflict, the latest casualty would raise the number of Indian deaths in West Asia since February 28 to nine fatalities . One Indian sailor also remains missing from earlier maritime attacks in the region.

India has meanwhile stepped up maritime security under Operation Urja Suraksha , deploying naval warships to escort Indian-linked merchant vessels through the Gulf region as attacks and shipping disruptions continue.