A civilian cargo vessel was struck by a US missile in the Gulf today, sparking a frantic distress call from its crew. A transcript obtained by this newsroom captures the final moments before the ship went dark. ‘Please send help.
We are taking on water. We have casualties,’ a voice crackled over the emergency frequency at 14:23 local time. The vessel, identified as the MV Star of Basra, was reportedly hit by a Tomahawk cruise missile fired from a US Navy destroyer.
Officials in Washington claim the ship was mistaken for a hostile target, but sources in the region insist the vessel was clearly marked and transmitting an automatic identification signal. The attack raises serious questions about the rules of engagement and the accountability of those who ordered the strike. The US military has launched an investigation, but for the families of the 23 crew members, that offers little comfort.
