Cargo Ship Sinks in Strait of Hormuz After Strike Triggers Fire

A cargo ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz after a strike that sparked a fire and the evacuation of crew members, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said.

The GFS Pride was damaged in a strike by “unknown projectiles” while transiting the strait on Tuesday, according to an authority statement. All 21 crew members were evacuated without injuries before the Singapore-flagged vessel sank.

Another freighter registered in the city-state, the GFS Giselle, was struck Wednesday, suffering hull damage, according to the statement. The ship sailed to a safe anchorage under its own power and none of the 22 crew were hurt.

Iranian attacks on shipping through the vital waterway have surged in recent weeks, helping elevate oil prices and the costs to hire supertankers.