The Indian Consulate in Dubai on Saturday issued a fresh statement pledging its support to the family and crew of an Indian sailor who was killed and four crew were injured on Friday in a dhow fire close to the Strait of Hormuz.
In their most recently published public notification, the consulate stated that they are in contact with the vessel’s owner and are seeking further details regarding the incident.
As per reports published by local news outlets based in the Gulf, the 18 seafarers that came under danger were aboard a merchant vessel and were rescued by a passing ship following a blast.
The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been established by investigating authorities. As per local media reports, the rescued seafarers were brought to Dubai earlier today, following which they were immediately dispatched to hospital for treatment.
The Indian consulate officials have met with the surviving crew, while the injured are receiving medical treatment in Dubai.
“The consulate is saddened to learn of the unfortunate incident at sea that caused the tragic death of an Indian crew of a wooden dhow,” Dubai’s Consulate General of India said, in a statement shared on social media on Saturday.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil trading route that has been effectively closed off during the Iran war.