The death of an Indian sailor in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on the oil tanker Cape Dao (with a capacity of 170,000 tons) on September 23, 2026, has been reported. This attack resulted in the death of one crew member and damage to the ship. The Indian Seafarers' Union (FSU) has reacted to this incident by urging the Indian government to take serious measures to protect sailors.
Details of the Attack on the Cape Dao
Reports indicate that the ship was passing through the Strait of Hormuz when two missiles were fired at it. One missile struck the engine room and the other hit the C deck of the ship. In this attack, a 26-year-old sailor named Suraj Yadav from Uttar Pradesh lost his life. This ship is managed by the United Arab Emirates and registered under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, with 28 crew members, including 20 Indian sailors.
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Reactions to the Attack and Its Consequences
The Indian Seafarers' Union, expressing deep concern, has called for the presence of naval forces and a swift response to threats against Indian sailors in international waters, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea. The union has also called for a global solidarity campaign on September 25 to honor the deceased and support the surviving sailors. In this campaign, people are asked to wear black ribbons in respect for the deceased.
According to the union, the number of incidents related to sailors has reached 85 since the beginning of the war in the region, and 23 sailors have lost their lives so far. Additionally, the Indian Foreign Minister has initiated discussions with international officials to review the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz following this attack.
The attack on the oil tanker Cape Dao occurred just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iran if an agreement was not reached. This threat was made on the sidelines of the United Nations meeting, and Trump also reported on progress related to mediation with Iran.
Iranian officials have also stated that if U.S. military pressures are reduced, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command has reported that as of September 21, it has redirected 110 commercial vessels to ensure compliance with the blockade.
Read more: JD Vance: A large volume of oil and gas continues to pass through the Strait of Hormuz · Decrease in tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; an incident with two injured
