TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 caught fire and sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, March 6, 2026. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ship was carrying four Indonesian crew members.
"The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, between the waters of the UAE and Oman, on March 6, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time," according to a statement from the Directorate for Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as reported by Antara.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tugboat experienced an explosion, causing it to catch fire and sink. UAE and Omani authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the tugboat was carrying a total of seven crew members, consisting of Indonesian, Indian, and Filipino citizens. Four crew members survived, while the search for three others is ongoing.
"Regarding the condition of the four Indonesian crew members, one is receiving treatment for burns at a hospital in Khasab City, Oman. Meanwhile, local authorities are still searching for the other three," the statement quoted.
It was also stated that in addition to the four Indonesian citizens, one Indonesian citizen was at the scene of the incident, but was on a different ship and is safe.
The Indonesian representatives in the UAE and Oman continue to coordinate with local authorities and relevant parties to search for the three missing Indonesian crew members, ensure the care of the one surviving Indonesian citizen, and provide updates to their families in Indonesia, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its appeal to all Indonesian citizens in the Middle East, including Indonesian crew members working on ships, to remain vigilant, monitor developments through official sources, and maintain communication with the nearest Indonesian representative.
"Report yourself immediately to ensure a quick and appropriate response from the Indonesian representative. In an emergency, immediately contact the relevant Indonesian representative's hotline," the statement said.
Drone strikes from Iran continue to rain down on the Strait of Hormuz. In addition to the Musaffah 2, Iran also attacked the Maltese-flagged commercial oil tanker Prima. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the vessel had ignored repeated warnings from Iran not to enter the strait, according to the Tasnim news agency, as reported by the New York Post.
Oil flows through the strait have been almost completely halted since Iran declared it closed at the start of the war. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, through which about 20 million barrels of oil, or about 20 percent of global supply, pass daily.
The strait, located between Iran and Oman, is governed by international maritime law, which is supposed to guarantee the right of passage for all. However, historically, Iran has had the greatest ability to influence traffic through the strait during times of conflict.
Following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Republic vowed to retaliate by targeting the vital waterway. "If anyone tries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the navy will burn those ships," said Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief, on Monday.
"We will not allow a single drop of oil to leave this region. Oil prices will reach $200 in the coming days," he said last Monday.
Read: Indonesia Engages in Talks to Ensure Pertamina Tanker's Safety in Strait of Hormuz
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