How Did a Ship Carrying 2,500 Containers Sink in the Strait of Hormuz?

Quick answer: The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, maritime security sources said. Tehran said the vessel had hit a naval mine. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Key facts

• What: Boat Accident
• Where: Near the Strait of Hormuz
• Reported: 15 October 2026, via The Independent
• Reported toll: No injuries — all 21 crew safely evacuated
• Status: developing — figures may change

What happened

The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, maritime security sources told Reuters. Tehran said the vessel had hit a naval mine. The vessel, a small container ship with capacity for 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), was carrying more than 2,500 containers.

All 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said the vessel had attempted to transit an "unauthorised and dangerous" route before catching fire after hitting the naval mine. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also received a report of a container ship struck by an unknown projectile, although it is unclear whether the two incidents are linked.

The loss of the GFS Pride marks the second vessel to sink since the US-Iran war began on 28 February, according to data from the UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization. In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao was reported to be sinking after being struck by a projectile on 23 September.

Where it happened

The Strait of Hormuz is a 24-mile-wide waterway. Before the war on Iran, around 125 to 140 large commercial vessels — including oil tankers, gas carriers, bunkers and container ships — passed through the strait every day. Traffic came to an effective standstill on 28 February, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military airstrikes across Iran.

What happens next

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said it was deeply concerned about continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as unprovoked, unjustifiable and a breach of international law. Iran's Guards have warned local vessels and fishermen to take care. The vessel's United Arab Emirates-based manager, GFS Ship Management FZE, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: The Independent

Frequently asked questions

How many people were hurt when the GFS Pride sank?

None. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority.

What caused the GFS Pride to sink?

Accounts differ. Maritime security sources said the ship was hit by a projectile, while Tehran said it had hit a naval mine. The exact cause remains to be established.

Where did the GFS Pride sink?

Near the Strait of Hormuz, the 24-mile-wide waterway.

What was the GFS Pride carrying?

More than 2,500 containers. The vessel had a capacity of 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).