Indonesia's Foreign Ministry Urges Investigation into Explosion of Tugboat Musaffah 2 in Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) is pushing for a thorough investigation into the explosion of the tugboat Musaffah 2 in the Strait of Hormuz whilst carrying Indonesian nationals (WNI).

“The Foreign Ministry is also urging a comprehensive investigation of this incident, and Indonesian representatives are coordinating with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, as well as the ship company,” said Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang in a video statement issued in Jakarta on Monday (9 March 2026).

The vessel had a total crew of seven, including four Indonesian crew members, and carried six technicians including one Indonesian. According to eyewitness accounts, the Musaffah 2 experienced an explosion that caused the ship to catch fire.

At the time of the incident, four Indonesian crew members were aboard the Musaffah 2, whilst one Indonesian technician was aboard the container ship Safeen Prestige.

Regarding the situation of the Indonesian nationals, Mewengkang explained that one Indonesian crew member is receiving treatment for burns and is currently in a hospital in Kazab, Oman, and one Indonesian technician who survived is now in Abu Dhabi. Three Indonesian crew members remain the subject of ongoing search efforts by local authorities.

“Currently, Indonesian representatives in the UAE and Oman are intensively coordinating with local authorities and the ship company for the search process for three missing Indonesian crew members and to ensure the care of the surviving Indonesian crew member, whilst continuously updating families in Indonesia about developments in the response,” Mewengkang said.

Emphasising that the Foreign Ministry, together with authorities in the UAE and Oman, is still investigating the cause of the incident, Mewengkang urged all Indonesian nationals in the Middle East, including Indonesian crew members working on ships, to remain vigilant at all times.

The spokesperson also asked Indonesian nationals to monitor the developing situation through official sources of information and maintain communication with the nearest Indonesian representative office, and to promptly register with local authorities to ensure a rapid and appropriate response from Indonesian representatives.