A wooden dhow carrying general cargo with 18 Indian crew members caught fire and capsized near the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one Indian national dead and four others with burn injuries, a government source told news agency ANI.
The incident occurred on Friday near the strategic waterway, with authorities still trying to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. According to the source, the crew members were rescued by a passing vessel after the dhow caught fire and overturned.
“In this incident, one Indian on the dhow died while four received burn injuries,” the source told ANI, adding that the injured crew members are undergoing treatment in Dubai and are reported to be safe.
The source said Indian consular officials met the rescued nationals soon after the incident.
“Our officials from the Indian Consulate met the rescued Indian nationals yesterday night itself. The consulate is also in touch with the Dhow owner and extending all possible assistance,” the source added.
Earlier on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 11 Indian ships had exited the Strait of Hormuz, while 13 ships continued to remain in the Persian Gulf.
11 Indian ships exited Strait of Hormuz: MEA Spokesperson
Addressing a press briefing in the national capital, Jaiswal was asked about reports that Iranian ships could be taking routes through Pakistani territorial waters and then Indian territorial waters to avoid the US blockade, and whether special permission from Indian authorities would be required for the same.
“Regarding the reports that Iranian ships might be taking routes through Indian territorial waters to avoid blockades: if ships of other countries want to ply in international waters, no permission is required. However, for the specific question of entering Indian waters, that is a technical issue that the Ministry of Shipping or the relevant technical authorities would need to answer,” Jaiswal said.
“We have had forward movement as a result of our diplomatic engagement and conversations with the Iranians. So far, 11 Indian ships have exited the Strait of Hormuz. Thirteen ships continue to be in the Persian Gulf, and we continue to be in touch with the Iranian authorities so that the remaining ships can also cross the Strait of Hormuz and reach their destination in India,” he added.
(With ANI inputs)