Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis confirmed that one Indian crew member remains missing after the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS GALAXY was struck in the Strait of Hormuz. While 23 crew members were safely rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman, the damaged vessel is being towed to the UAE amid heightened regional security risks.

Attack and Rescue Operations

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.

Hadjimanolis said 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.

Crew Composition and Missing Engineer

She said 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.

According to the Deputy Minister, 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, she added.

Vessel Recovery and Ongoing Search

Hadjimanolis also said 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 noted that the Deputy Ministry of Shipping remains in constant contact with the vessel's management company, taking all necessary actions and closely monitoring developments.

Navigational Challenges and Fleet Presence

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.

Security Circulars and Continuous Monitoring

She also said 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.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)