Foreign Ministry urges full investigation into Indonesian-crew tugboat Musaffah 2 after explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) of the Republic of Indonesia has called for a comprehensive investigation into the tugboat Musaffah 2, which exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the ministry is coordinating with authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, as well as the vessel’s company, via Indonesian representatives in Abu Dhabi and Muscat. On 6 March, the ministry received reports via the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat regarding an incident affecting the UAE-flag tugboat Musaffah 2, which occurred in the Strait of Hormuz between UAE and Oman at 2:00 a.m. local time. The vessel’s crew numbered seven seafarers, including four Indonesian crew members, and it carried six technicians, including one Indonesian technician. At the time of the incident, four Indonesian crew were aboard Musaffah 2, and one Indonesian technician was aboard the container ship Safeen Prestige. Regarding the Indonesian nationals’ condition, Yvonne explained that one Indonesian crew member sustained burn injuries and is being treated at a hospital in Khasab, Oman, while one Indonesian technician who survived has arrived in Abu Dhabi. The three Indonesian crew members are still being sought by local authorities. ‘Currently, Indonesian representatives in the UAE and Oman are intensively coordinating with local authorities and the ship’s company to search for the three missing Indonesian crew, ensure care for the rescued Indonesian crew, and continuously update the families in Indonesia,’ Yvonne said. Emphasising that Kemlu, together with authorities in the UAE and Oman, is still investigating the incident’s cause, Yvonne urged all Indonesians in the Middle East, including Indonesian crews on ships, to remain vigilant. The spokesperson also urged Indonesians to monitor developments through official information sources, maintain contact with the nearest Indonesian mission, and promptly report themselves to ensure a swift and appropriate response from Indonesian missions.