A survivor of the missile strike that hit a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has described moments of chaos and fear as the attack left one crew member unaccounted for. The individual, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ship was struck without warning on Tuesday morning local time.
Speaking from a hospital in Muscat, the survivor said: "There was a loud bang, then fire. People were shouting. I managed to get to a life raft, but my friend was not there. He is still missing."
The attack, which international observers attribute to a state-backed militia group, has raised tensions in a waterway that carries about a fifth of the world's oil. The vessel, a Liberia-flagged cargo ship, was en route to Fujairah when it was hit by what analysts believe was a cruise missile.
Search and rescue operations have so far failed to locate the missing crew member, who is feared dead. The survivor described the victim as a close friend and colleague. "We worked together for years. He has a family. I cannot believe he is gone."
The incident is the latest in a series of escalations in the region, where commercial shipping has increasingly been caught in the crossfire of geopolitical rivalries. The British government has condemned the strike, calling for restraint and a full investigation.
A Royal Navy vessel has been dispatched to the area to assist with security, though officials stress it will not engage in direct combat. The Foreign Office has advised all UK-flagged shipping to avoid the Strait of Hormuz pending further assessment.
The survivor has been treated for minor injuries and is expected to be released from hospital in the coming days. He said he intends to return to his home country as soon as possible.
"I just want to go home. I cannot stay here with this memory."
The missing crew member's family has been notified. Tributes have begun to appear on social media as friends and colleagues express hope for a miracle.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
