Indian sailor killed as US-Iran fire exchange in Hormuz threatens ceasefire
Four others were injured on May 8 after their wooden boat caught fire, allegedly after getting caught in the crossfire
One Indian sailor lost his life while four others were injured on Friday (May 8) after a ‘dhow’ (wooden boat) caught fire and capsized near the Strait of Hormuz, which has been at the centre of a geopolitical tussle over the past many months, government sources said.
It was learned that 18 Indian crew members were aboard the boat, and a passing by vessel came to their rescue.
Sailors caught in US-Iran crossfire?
While many reports said the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained immediately, some others said that the sailor died in an alleged crossfire after fresh clashes began between American and Iranian naval forces in the Strait region. The month-long ceasefire has found itself under threat as the opposing sides exchanged fire late on Thursday (May 7).
Also read: Hormuz blockade could trigger global crisis, warns Vivek Katju
In a post on X, the Indian Consulate in Dubai, where the injured sailors were reportedly receiving treatment, condoled the crew member’s death and said the consulate officials met the rescued seafarers. In another post, it said it was in touch with the owner of the dhow and was ascertaining the details.
Update:
— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) May 9, 2026
In the unfortunate fire incident on board an Indian wooden dhow at sea, 1 Indian crew died and four were injured. They were rescued by a vessel passing by.
Indian consulate officials have met the rescued Indians. The injured are being extended medical treatment.… https://t.co/0unUk8AJTG
Both the US and Iran have tried to secure dominance over the key shipping route after Israel and the US launched a joint air attack on Iran on February 28.
More about the incident
Reports said the deceased sailor was identified as Altaf Talab Ker, who was driving the wooden dhow Al Faize Noore Sulemani 1. He hailed from Salaya village in the Dwarka district of Gujarat. The ill-fated vessel had left Dubai on Thursday and was going to Mukalla in Yemen when it reportedly caught fire while crossing Hormuz.
Indian Sailing Vessels Association said the vessel caught fire after finding itself trapped in an “unfortunate and violent” exchange between the American and Iranian forces, Firstpost reported.
US-Iran firings continue, Trump says 'love trap'
The situation in Hormuz deteriorated on Friday when the US and Iran exchanged fire, threatening their month-long ceasefire once again. Tehran accused the American forces of making aggressive posturing by targeting two ships and civilian areas, while Washington said it fired in retaliation.
Also read: Trump’s Hormuz blockade: 'A complicated war is getting more complicated'
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said his forces’ attack on Iran after it hit American destroyers in Hormuz was a “love trap”, and that the ceasefire was still intact. Trump, however, reiterated his threat to Iran, pressuring it to resume negotiations to conclude the conflict or face more attacks.
The US Central Command also said before the president that American forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and hit back in self-defence as US Navy-guided missile destroyers moved through the strait.
11 Indian ships exit Hormuz
The international community was still having worries over the ongoing conflict, as international trade was at stake. On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 11 Indian ships successfully exited the Strait, while 13 more remained in the Persian Gulf.
“So far, 11 Indian ships have exited the Strait of Hormuz. Thirteen ships continue to be in the Persian Gulf, and we continue to be in touch with the Iranian authorities so that the remaining ships can also cross the Strait of Hormuz and reach their destination in India,” he said in a press conference.
Also read: Strait of Hormuz reopens: Iran’s quiet move, America’s loud claims
On Iranian ships taking routes through Indian territorial waters to avoid US blockade, Jaiswal further said that “for the specific question of entering Indian waters, it is a technical issue that the Ministry of Shipping or relevant technical authorities would need to answer”.
Russia aids Iran through Caspian Sea
The New York Times, meanwhile, reported that the Caspian Sea emerged as a key trade and military supply route for Iran as it looks for alternatives to the strait amid the American blockade.
It said Russia has been providing commercial goods and drone components to Iran through the landlocked body which borders both Russia and Iran, aiming Tehran’s replenishment in terms of military supplies and imports disrupted by tensions in Hormuz.