A Singapore-flagged cargo ship has sunk in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving a vast field of containers and cargo floating across one of the world's most critical shipping routes.
Video released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards shows thousands of items scattered across the water after the container ship GFS Pride went down following what Iranian authorities described as a mine strike.
The vessel was carrying more than 2,500 containers when it sank, each one holding thousands of individual parcels that will never reach their destinations. The loss represents not only a major shipping vessel but an enormous volume of commercial cargo.
According to the Revolutionary Guards' naval force, the ship attempted to cross the area through a route Iran had designated as unauthorized and dangerous. Iranian officials claim the vessel struck a naval mine, caught fire, and eventually sank. International maritime reports, however, described the incident as a strike by an unidentified projectile, leaving the exact circumstances unclear.
The ship was operated by GFS Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority confirmed that all 21 crew members were evacuated safely with no casualties reported.
The sinking adds another layer of danger to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Beyond the risk to crews and vessels, containers left floating on the surface pose a navigation hazard for other ships passing through the strait.
