Two Ships Sink Near the Strait of Hormuz

Two commercial vessels sank near the Strait of Hormuz in separate incidents, as maritime reports described a sharp rise in attacks on shipping in the region. The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank on Wednesday, October 14, after being damaged and catching fire. The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao sank near the strait weeks after it was struck on September 23. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said all 21 crew members aboard GFS Pride were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Maritime security sources said the vessel had been hit by a projectile before it sank. The circumstances remain disputed: Iranian state television, citing a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the ship struck a naval mine while taking a route Iran considered unauthorized. The Cape Dao’s sinking followed the earlier projectile strike. Maritime sources said one crew member was killed in the September incident and the rest of the crew were evacuated. Information reported to the International Maritime Organization also recorded the September 23 strike.