UAE Tugboat Sinks in Strait of Hormuz, Three Indonesian Crew Missing

Jakarta – Three Indonesian crew members are missing after the United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat Mussafah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz on March 6, 2026. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with numerous attacks on vessels reported since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28.

Incident Details

The Mussafah 2, carrying a crew of seven individuals from Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, experienced an explosion and subsequently caught fire before sinking, according to a statement from Indonesia’s foreign ministry . Four crew members survived the incident, while three Indonesians remain missing.

The security firm Vanguard reported that the tugboat was struck by two missiles while attempting to assist the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige, which had been hit by a missile on March 4 .

Search and Rescue Efforts

Local authorities are currently conducting search operations for the missing Indonesian crew members. One survivor is receiving treatment for burns at a hospital in Khasab, Oman . Another Indonesian national was present at the location but has been transferred to a different vessel and is safe.

Discrepancies in Casualty Reports

There is a discrepancy between the Indonesian foreign ministry’s report of three missing crew members and the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), which reported four fatalities and three severely injured . The reason for this difference remains unclear.

Regional Context

The incident takes place against a backdrop of increased maritime security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz. Numerous attacks on ships have been reported since the beginning of the US-Israeli war with Iran, raising fears of further disruptions to vital shipping lanes .

An investigation into the cause of the explosion and sinking of the Mussafah 2 is currently underway by local authorities.