UAE-Flagged Tugboat Explodes in the Strait of Hormuz, 3 Indonesian Crew Members Still Missing
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Three of the four crew members who were Indonesian nationals went missing after the tugboat Musaffah 2, flagged by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), exploded and sank in the Strait of Hormuz, between the waters of the UAE and Oman, on Friday 6 March 2026 at 02:00 local time.
Information was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) through the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat.
“On 6 March 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Muscat received reports related to the incident affecting a tug boat named Musaffah 2, flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” said Acting Director for Protection of Indonesians (WNI) Heni Hamidah, on Saturday.
“To date, authorities in the UAE and Oman are still conducting investigations into the cause of this incident,” she said.
Based on witnesses, the Musaffah 2 tugboat experienced an explosion that caused the vessel to burn and sink.
Meanwhile, information received indicates Musaffah 2 was manned by seven crew members of Indonesian, Indian, and Filipino nationalities.
Specifically, four crew members are Indonesian; one Indonesian survived and is receiving treatment for burn injuries at a hospital in the city of Khasab, Oman.
“While the other three Indonesian crew members are still being sought by local authorities,” Heni explained.
In addition to these four Indonesians, there was one Indonesian at the scene, but on a different vessel and safe.
Currently, Indonesian representatives in the UAE and Oman are intensively coordinating with local authorities and the company for the search of the three missing Indonesian crew members, ensuring treatment for the surviving Indonesian, and informing families in Indonesia of developments.
She also urged all Indonesians in the Middle East, including Indonesian seafarers, to remain vigilant as tensions in the Middle East rise after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
“In view of security conditions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates to all Indonesians in the Middle East, including seafarers, to remain vigilant, monitor developments through official information sources, and maintain communication with the nearest Indonesian Representation,” concluded Heni.
The Strait is the world’s most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.