Nicosia: One Indian seafarer remains missing after the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS GALAXY was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 23 crew members were rescued and safely transferred to Oman, Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis told the Cyprus News Agency.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Hadjimanolis stated that the vessel was hit by a projectile of unknown origin at 01:40 Cyprus time on July 11 while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining extensive damage, primarily to its engine room. She mentioned that the crew consisted of 24 seafarers of various nationalities including nationals of India, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines, noting that no Cypriot nationals were among the crew.
The Deputy Minister noted that the missing crew member is an Indian national serving as the ship's Third Engineer, based on information provided by the ship's management company. Following the attack, the remaining 23 crew members abandoned the vessel using the lifeboat and were subsequently rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman, which transported them safely ashore.
Hadjimanolis also indicated that the GFS GALAXY is being towed to the port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, while Omani authorities continue search and rescue operations in the area in an effort to locate the missing seafarer. She emphasized that the Deputy Ministry of Shipping remains in constant contact with the vessel's management company, taking all necessary actions and closely monitoring developments.
The Deputy Minister stressed that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains particularly challenging for all vessels, regardless of flag, especially under the current security conditions following the recent military hostilities in the region.
Hadjimanolis further pointed out that Cyprus operates one of the world's largest merchant fleets, with a significant number of vessels sailing under the Cyprus flag internationally, irrespective of the location of their ship-owning companies or the nationality of their crews. She also mentioned that the Deputy Ministry of Shipping had issued a circular to the maritime industry on February 28, 2026, the day hostilities in the region began, advising stakeholders on precautionary safety measures.
According to the figures she provided, 23 Cyprus-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, before the Strait of Hormuz, making continuous monitoring of the situation by the Cypriot authorities essential.