Two Filipino Sailors Killed After Saudi Tanker Incident in Strait of Hormuz

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.co

Two Filipino sailors have died following an incident involving the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Sidr while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz on August 31, according to Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri.

Bahri said the two crew members died as a result of the incident involving the very large crude carrier. The company had earlier confirmed that it was investigating the incident and assessing its impact.

Shipping intelligence firms reported that the Sidr was struck by unknown projectiles about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, late Monday as the vessel was sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz. The circumstances surrounding the incident and the identity of those responsible have not been established.

The deaths come amid heightened risks to commercial shipping in and around the strategic waterway. According to figures from the International Maritime Organization, 70 confirmed maritime incidents and 19 seafarer deaths had been recorded in the region as of August 26, before the latest incident.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil supplies before the ongoing conflict severely disrupted shipping through the waterway.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of commercial vessels and their crews navigating the strategically vital Gulf passage.