Chronology of Chinese Ship Carrying 3 Indonesian Crew Members Hit by Missile in Pakistan-India Waters
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Karachi, Pakistan, has revealed the chronology of a Chinese ship carrying three Indonesian crew members that was hit by a missile in the Pakistan-India waters. Information about the ship being struck by a missile was received by KJRI Karachi and the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad via social media directly from the crew member.
The missile struck the merchant vessel MV Gold Autumn on Tuesday, 7 April 2026. The ship was en route from Shanghai to Oman.
“The Panamanian-flagged vessel, operated by a Chinese company, was sailing in the Arabian Sea, approximately 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometres) off the coast of Pakistan from Shanghai to Oman,” stated KJRI Karachi on Saturday, 11 April 2026.
The ship carrying the Indonesian crew members caught fire due to the missile attack, rendering its systems inoperable. There were three missile strikes.
“Although the ship did not sink, it experienced extensive fire damage from the three missile attacks, which ultimately caused system damage to the point of non-functionality,” it said.
“Subsequently, on 8 April, the Pakistani Navy successfully conducted a humanitarian rescue operation after receiving a distress call from the merchant vessel,” it added.
Based on statements from the crew to KJRI Karachi, there were a total of 22 crew members of Chinese, Bangladeshi, Myanmar, Vietnamese, and Indonesian nationalities. Of these, 18 were successfully evacuated from the ship, while four others, including the captain, remained on board.
KJRI Karachi has also met with the three Indonesian crew members who survived the missile attack. Upon arrival at a hotel near Karachi Airport, they were picked up by KJRI Karachi officials.
“After receiving a medical check-up and first aid from the Pakistan Navy, the crew arrived at Karachi Port aboard a Pakistan Navy ship on 9 April 2026 at 13:30, then stayed at a hotel near the airport area,” it said.
“Subsequently, the three Indonesian crew members immediately received a response and were followed up with pick-up by the Acting Consul General of Indonesia and the Officer-in-Charge of Protocol and Consular Affairs of KJRI Karachi for travel document processing. During the incident, the crew only saved themselves with the clothes on their bodies and their mobile phones, while all other documents and belongings could not be salvaged from the ship,” it continued.
Furthermore, the travel documents of the crew that could not be salvaged are being processed by KBRI Karachi. The three will be flown back to Indonesia.
“KJRI Karachi is processing travel documents for the three crew members and also ensuring that their rights are provided, including return tickets by the relevant parties. KJRI Karachi will continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad and relevant parties in Pakistan so that the three crew members can fly back to Indonesia safely,” it added.