Gujarat Sailor Dies After Indian Cargo Vessel Catches Fire Near Strait Of Hormuz

Ahmedabad: A sailor from Gujarat lost his life after an Indian cargo vessel carrying 18 crew members caught fire and overturned near the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the region. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the incident occurred during the early hours of May 8 while the vessel was travelling through the strategically important waterway. 

The vessel, identified as Al Faize Noore Sulemani 1, had reportedly departed from Dubai on May 7 and was headed towards Mukalla in Yemen when the fire broke out around 1 am. Reports cited by Moneycontrol stated that the dhow later capsized following the blaze. Adam Bhaya, General Secretary of the Indian Sailing Vessels Association (Gujarat), described the situation as an “unfortunate and violent” incident in communication sent to authorities. 

The deceased sailor was identified as Altaf Talab Ker, an engine driver from Salaya village in Gujarat’s Dwarka district. Four other crew members sustained burn injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in Dubai. The remaining crew members were rescued by a passing vessel and safely transported to Dubai Port. 

Government sources confirmed that officials from the Indian Consulate in Dubai met the rescued crew members soon after the incident and are extending all possible assistance to the affected sailors and their families. Authorities also stated that the exact reason behind the fire is still under investigation. 

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that has witnessed increasing maritime tensions in recent months. India has also been closely monitoring the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region due to ongoing geopolitical developments affecting commercial shipping movement. 

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