Indian sailor killed after dhow catches fire near Hormuz Strait

An Indian sailor was killed and several others injured after a wooden dhow carrying 18 Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz, government sources said on Saturday.According to media reports, the incident occurred on Friday when the vessel, identified as Al Faize Noore Sulemani 1, caught fire and capsized while crossing the strategic waterway. Seventeen other Indian crew members were rescued by a passing vessel and later brought safely to Dubai Port, officials said.The deceased sailor was identified as Altaf Talab Ker, an engine driver from Salaya village in Gujarat’s Dwarka district. Four crew members sustained burn injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in Dubai, while the remaining sailors are reported to be safe.
According to officials, the dhow had departed from Dubai on May 7 and was headed to Mukalla in Yemen when the fire broke out around 1 am on May 8. The exact cause of the blaze is still being ascertained.In a statement, a Government of India source said, “A wooden dhow carrying general cargo with 18 Indian crew capsized close to the Strait of Hormuz after it caught fire. The crew members were rescued by a vessel passing nearby. One Indian national died while four suffered burn injuries.”

"A wooden Dhow, carrying general cargo, with 18 Indian crew capsized yesterday close to the Strait of Hormuz after it caught fire. The exact cause of the fire is being ascertained. The crew members were rescued by a vessel which was passing by. In this incident, one Indian on…

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2026

The source added that officials from the Indian Consulate met the rescued crew members on Friday night and are extending all possible assistance to the injured sailors and their families. The consulate is also coordinating with the dhow owner regarding further arrangements.The Indian Consulate in Dubai expressed grief over the incident, saying it was “saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident at sea that caused the tragic death of an Indian crew member.”Meanwhile, Adam Bhaya described the incident as an “unfortunate and violent” episode in a letter to authorities, alleging that the dhow may have come under fire amid ongoing tensions in the region involving US and Iranian forces. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the cause of the fire.