Fresh Hormuz attacks leave seafarer dead, one vessel sunk and several damaged

Fresh Hormuz attacks leave seafarer dead, one vessel sunk and several damaged
04 Nov 2026 https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/fresh-hormuz-attacks-leave-se...

A seafarer has died and several commercial vessels have reportedly been damaged in a series of incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz in early November

At least one seafarer has died and several commercial vessels have reportedly been damaged in a series of incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz between 1 and 3 November, according to maritime security reports and navigational warnings.

One known fatality occurred aboard the Indian-flagged cargo dhow Al Jusufi, which was struck by an unidentified aerial object off Oman on 2 November.

UK-based Vanguard Tech and Greece-based Marisks, both maritime intelligence firms, reported that one of the vessel’s 14 Indian crew members died from injuries sustained in the incident. The remaining 13 crew were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.

The vessel was reportedly travelling eastbound approximately 5.6 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Jabal Secun mountain. The extent of the damage and any environmental impact remain unclear.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre confirmed receiving a report from the Indian Government concerning the attack on the dhow as it sailed outbound through Hormuz. UKMTO said the Royal Navy of Oman had rescued the surviving crew.

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On 3 November, Vanguard reported that the Barbados-flagged tanker Grit was struck in its engine room by two unidentified projectiles while sailing approximately 14 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. The UKMTO warning confirmed the location and reported that the vessel’s company security officer had notified authorities of the projectile strikes. The incident reportedly occurred in Omani territorial waters. No casualties or pollution were reported, but the extent of the damage and the vessel’s operational status remain unknown.

On 2 November, the UKMTO also reported an attack on a tanker travelling southeast through the Arabian Gulf, approximately 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia. The UKMTO warning said two unidentified projectiles struck the tanker’s port side. All crew were accounted for and no environmental impact was reported.

Bulk carrier damaged, offshore vessel sinks

On 1 November, the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Era S was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately nine nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman, at 2020 UTC.

The impact left a hole in the vessel’s starboard side, although all crew members were reported safe. Marisks said the vessel remained operational and continued its voyage.

UKMTO confirmed the incident in a warning issued on 2 November, reporting damage to the starboard side, with the vessel and crew safe and no environmental impact.

Equasis identifies Era S as a 1999-built, 46,681-dwt bulk carrier registered in Panama. Its registered owner, ISM manager and commercial manager are all listed as Istanbul-based Transatlantic Shipping Ltd-Mai.

Also on 1 November, the UAE-owned offshore tug and supply vessel Selat Storm was struck by an unknown projectile northwest of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula.

According to Marisks, the incident occurred at 1509 UTC and prompted a Mayday call over VHF Channel 16. Initial reports indicated significant damage and that the vessel was partially sinking.

A UKMTO warning reported the distress call, relayed by the master of a nearby merchant vessel.

Pakistan’s National Hydrographic Office subsequently issued a NAVAREA IX navigational warning on 2 November, identifying Selat Storm as having sunk approximately 0.6 nautical miles west of Oman’s northernmost tip, Jazirat Um Al Ghanam, at position 26°22.55′N, 056°20.47′E. The vessel’s crew’s status and any environmental impact remain unconfirmed.

The International Maritime Organization’s incident register has recorded Selat Storm among the vessel incidents of 1 November. As of 3 November, IMO had recorded 128 confirmed incidents across the Middle East conflict and 24 seafarer fatalities.

Iran claims four tankers destroyed

In a statement carried by Iran’s state-backed Fars News Agency, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed four oil tankers had been destroyed after striking naval mines off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the tankers remained on fire and claimed two further vessels had been stopped. It also claimed to have shot down another US MQ-9 drone over the strait. The Iranian claims have not been independently verified.

Military action intensifies around Hormuz

Vanguard reported that US forces conducted limited strikes against Iranian positions on Qeshm Island on 2 November.

According to US officials cited by Vanguard, the strikes targeted Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against US assets. US forces also reportedly intercepted an Iranian missile launched towards commercial vessels. A separate missile was alleged to have targeted a US fighter aircraft, prompting return fire. US officials described the strikes as defensive operations intended to reduce threats to commercial shipping.