In a written statement received here on Sunday, the Indonesian Embassy informed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged tugboat, Musaffah 2, was involved in an accident between the UAE and Oman portions of the Hormuz Strait on March 6 at 2 a.m. local time.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tugboat exploded, causing it to burn and sink. The embassy confirmed that the authorities of the UAE and Oman are investigating the accident.
"The Musaffah 2 boat was crewed by 7 individuals from Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. Three crews survived while four others remain missing," the embassy said.
From the four Indonesians aboard the tugboat, one survived with burn injury and had received medical treatment at a hospital in Khasab, Oman. Meanwhile, three others were missing, with a search operation ongoing.
The Indonesian embassies in Abu Dhabi and Muscat were coordinating with the respective local authorities and the employer to support the search operation and ensure adequate treatment for survivors.
The employer relocated the surviving Indonesian national to Abu Dhabi on March 7, and Indonesian Embassy officials provided consular assistance to the individual.
Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi urged all Indonesians in the UAE, especially those working offshore, to remain vigilant and maintain constant communication with the embassy.
"Indonesians are also encouraged to conduct a self-report to ensure a quick response from the Indonesian Embassy. In emergency cases, Indonesians are urged to call the embassy hotline promptly," the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi remarked.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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