Missile Strike Kills 2 on Tanker Skylight in Hormuz as 20,000 Seafarers Remain Trapped
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 23
Missile Strike Kills 2 on Tanker Skylight in Hormuz as 20,000 Seafarers Remain Trapped
6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 23
Two crew members — captain Ashish Kumar and engineer Dalip Rathore — died after a missile hit the engine room of the tanker Skylight on March 1, igniting a fire that forced sailors to jump into the sea.
Skylight was the first commercial vessel struck after the US-Israel war with Iran erupted; Oman’s navy rescued survivors, but Rathore’s body was never found.
The tanker had been sanctioned by the US in December for carrying Iranian oil and, by the time of the attack, had lost insurance and flag registration, leaving families facing little chance of compensation.
Opaque ownership has complicated accountability: MarineTraffic lists Dubai-based Red Sea Ship Management, but the BBC said phone calls went unanswered, emails bounced back and relatives had heard nothing from the owner.
The attack sits inside a wider shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Kpler counts 38 commercial vessels hit since the conflict began and the IMO says more than 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf.
As 20,000 seafarers are abandoned in a war zone, who is accountable when their ships are stateless and uninsured?
With Iran now charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, is the world's most vital oil route being held for ransom?
The 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Geopolitical Escalation, Maritime Blockade, and the Plight of 20,000 Seafarers
Overview
On March 1, 2026, after Iran suffered severe losses—including the deaths of its Supreme Leader and top officials in attacks by US and Israeli forces—the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. This attack, set against a backdrop of escalating conflict, immediately heightened regional tensions and marked a major flashpoint. The incident reflected how Iran’s adversaries’ actions created an environment ripe for retaliation, leading to aggressive moves that threatened global shipping and energy security. The crisis quickly drew international concern, highlighting the fragile stability of this vital maritime chokepoint.