IMO Secretary-General Dominguez pointed out on the 6th that the ship attack that occurred that day in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in at least four seafarers killed and three seriously injured.
He expressed shock and sorrow over the incident.
The International Maritime Organization issued a statement saying that two more seafarers have died in previous incidents in the region, and one remains missing. At present, about 20,000 seafarers are still stranded in the Gulf region, where safety risks are mounting and mental stress is enormous.
In the statement, Dominguez said: “Seafarers must never be made targets of attacks. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. All parties and stakeholders are obligated under international law to take necessary measures to ensure seafarers are protected, including safeguarding their rights and well-being, as well as upholding the freedom of navigation.”
The statement did not disclose specific details of the ship attack.
According to media reports citing maritime security companies, a tugboat flying the United Arab Emirates flag was attacked while heading to assist a previously targeted container ship. The container ship in question was hit by a missile on the 4th, lost power, and its crew had abandoned the vessel.