A sailor from India remains missing following the attack on the Cypriot-flagged container ship GFS GALAXY in the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 23 crew members were rescued and safely transported to Oman, Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hatzimanoli told CNA.

As she reported, the vessel was struck by a projectile of unknown origin on July 11, at 1:40 a.m. Cyprus time, while sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in extensive damage, mainly to the engine room.

Ms. Hatzimanoli said that the crew consisted of 24 seafarers of various nationalities, specifically from India, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines, clarifying that there were no Cypriot nationals among the crew members.

The seafarer who remains missing is an Indian national who served as the ship’s third engineer, as reported by the managing company, Ms. Hatzimanoli said.

READ ALSO: Iran fired on a Cypriot-flagged ship and closed the Strait of Hormuz; one crew member is missing

She added that after the strike, the 23 sailors abandoned the ship, using the lifeboat, and were subsequently rescued by the Omani Navy, which transported them safely ashore.

At the same time, he noted that the GFS GALAXY is being towed to the port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, while Omani authorities are continuing search and rescue operations in the area, with the aim of locating the missing sailor.

Ms. Hatzimanoli stated that the Deputy Ministry of Maritime Affairs is in constant communication with the ship’s management company, taking all necessary steps and closely monitoring developments.

At the same time, she emphasized that transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains particularly difficult for all ships, regardless of flag, especially given the recent military operations in the region.

SEE ALSO: Missing sailor from the Cyprus-flagged ship struck by Iran is Indian

The Deputy Minister also noted that Cyprus has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world, with a large number of ships operating internationally under the Cypriot flag, regardless of the shipping company’s headquarters or the nationality of their crews.

As he noted, the Deputy Ministry of Maritime Affairs had issued a relevant circular to the shipping industry as early as February 28, 2026, the day hostilities began in the region, with the aim of providing information and ensuring that precautionary safety measures were taken.

According to data provided by Ms. Hatzimanoli, 23 ships flying the Cypriot flag are currently in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, just before the Strait of Hormuz, a fact that makes it necessary for the Cypriot authorities to continuously monitor the situation.