Chinese Merchant Ship Hit by Missile in Arabian Sea, Three Indonesian Crew Members Rescued
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KARACHI – A Chinese merchant ship was reported to have been hit by a missile in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday (7/4/2026). The Pakistani Navy evacuated 18 out of 22 crew members, including three Indonesian nationals (WNI), after the ship sent a distress signal.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi reported receiving information that the three rescued Indonesians were working as able seamen on a Chinese ship whose bridge was struck by a missile in the Pakistan-India waters. The origin of the missile remains unknown.
“They were rescued by Pakistani security forces and are currently being assisted by the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi (KJRI) for processing the necessary documents for their return to Indonesia,” said Dian Ratri Astuti, Consul for Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs at KJRI Karachi, to Republika on Friday evening. The rescue took place on Thursday (8/6/2026).
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan, the rescued sailors were from various countries and were subsequently transferred to Karachi for medical treatment.
The Pakistani Navy successfully conducted a humanitarian rescue operation on Friday after receiving an emergency call from a merchant vessel. The operation occurred in the northern Arabian Sea, approximately 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometres) off the coast of Pakistan.
According to the Pakistani Navy, a total of 18 crew members were successfully rescued from the merchant vessel MV Gold Autumn. The remaining four crew members stayed on the ship.
Among those rescued were nationals from China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia. All crew members were evacuated following a coordinated rescue effort.
The rescue was carried out following a distress alert broadcast by the ship. The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) then activated the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
Emergency response protocols were immediately initiated to handle the situation and ensure rapid assistance at sea. The Pakistani Navy ship PNS Hunain, which was on patrol in the assigned area, was promptly directed to assist the vessel. After the successful evacuation, the rescued crew members were transported safely to Karachi.
They were provided with the necessary medical treatment and care before arrangements were made for their repatriation to their respective countries.