Two ships sink near Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial vessels surge
What Happened
The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank after being struck by an unidentified projectile and catching fire. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated with no reported injuries. Separately, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao, damaged by a projectile on September 23, was also reported to have sunk near the strait. Iran offered a different account regarding the GFS Pride, saying a cargo vessel sank after hitting a naval mine. UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that the ships had been hit by unidentified projectiles, leaving the precise cause of the GFS Pride sinking disputed.
Key Takeaways
The incidents highlight rapidly increasing risks to commercial shipping around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO reported at least five incidents, including drone strikes, within the previous 48 hours, while more than 20 vessels had come under attack in the area during October.