I survived a missile strike in the Strait of Hormuz, but my friend has not been found
A seafarer recounts surviving a missile strike in the Strait of Hormuz, detailing the chaos and loss of his friend, Dalip Rathore, who remains missing.
Sunil Puniya survived a missile strike on the oil tanker Skylight in the Strait of Hormuz, witnessing the devastating effects of the attack and the disappearance of his friend Dalip Rathore. The incident highlights the ongoing crisis of seafarer abandonment in the region.
Imagine a big ship carrying oil is sailing through a narrow channel called the Strait of Hormuz. Suddenly, a missile hits the ship! Sunil was on board and felt the whole ship shake. The fire was so bad he and his friends jumped into the water to escape. His friend Dalip wasn’t so lucky – he disappeared. This is happening because of a war between Iran and the US, and it’s making it really dangerous for ships to travel through this important waterway. Lots of sailors are stuck at sea, waiting for help. The ITF, a group that helps sailors, is trying to get them home, but it’s a tough situation.
Analysis
The BBC Verify team spoke with Sunil Puniya, a 26-year-old seafarer, who was aboard the oil tanker Skylight when it was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1st. The attack, which occurred during the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US, was the first commercial vessel to be hit since the escalation of tensions. Puniya described the immediate aftermath – ‘I felt the whole ship shake. I thought there’d been some fault with the engine.’ The missile struck the engine room, triggering a fire that rapidly spread, causing a blackout and widespread smoke. He and other crew members, including those from South India, jumped into the sea to escape the flames. The Oman Navy launched a rescue operation, pulling survivors from the water, but Dalip Rathore, a 25-year-old engineer, was not found. Rathore had joined the Skylight the day before Puniya and quickly became a close friend. According to Puniya, Rathore ‘became like a brother’ offering support during the chaotic moments. The attack also resulted in the death of the ship’s captain, Ashish Kumar. The incident underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. The US-Iran conflict has exacerbated the situation, with Iran blocking the strait and triggering a series of attacks on commercial vessels. As of today, more than 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf, facing challenges such as unpaid wages, contract disputes, and shortages of supplies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are working to address the crisis, but the situation remains precarious. The ITF reports over 2,000 calls for help from seafarers, many of whom are effectively abandoned at sea. The story highlights the vulnerability of seafarers and the broader implications of geopolitical conflicts on global trade and maritime security.
Key points
- A missile strike occurred on the oil tanker Skylight in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Sunil Puniya, a seafarer, survived the attack but his friend Dalip Rathore is missing.
- The attack is linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the disruption of global trade routes.
- Over 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf.
- The International Maritime Organization and the ITF are working to address the crisis.
