Indian-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off Oman Coast After Attack Sparks Fire; En Route Somalia to Sharjah — Day 77

An Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank off the coast of Oman on May 15, 2026 (Day 77) after an attack sparked a fire on board while the ship was en route from Somalia to Sharjah, UAE. NPR reported the incident as part of a broader Day 77 escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions were already elevated following the May 14 vessel seizure near Fujairah. The specific identity of the vessel, details about its crew, and the nature of the attack were not immediately confirmed in available reporting — whether it was struck by a drone, missile, or a limpet mine. The sinking marks a significant escalation from vessel seizures to outright sinking, raising the humanitarian stakes for maritime crews operating in the region. The route — Somalia to Sharjah via the Gulf of Oman — is a standard commercial corridor through the high-risk zone. The incident occurred on the same day that Iran's FM Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, stated that the Strait of Hormuz 'remains open to all except nations at war with Iran,' while Iran's Senior VP Mohammadreza Aref declared the strait 'belongs to Iran' and won't be surrendered 'at any price.' The ship sinking, combined with the May 14 Fujairah seizure, represents the 48th and 49th maritime incidents UKMTO has tracked since the conflict began February 28.