An Indian crew member remains missing after a missile struck the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS GALAXY in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanoli said on Monday.

The attack occurred on Sunday at about 1:40am Cyprus time, while the vessel was navigating the vital waterway.

The missile caused extensive damage, particularly to the ship’s engine room, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

Hadjimanoli said the ship was carrying a multinational crew of 24 sailors from India, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines.

There were no Cypriot nationals on board.

The missing crew member has been identified as the ship’s third engineer.

His disappearance was confirmed by the vessel’s management company while search and rescue efforts by the Omani authorities remain ongoing.

The remaining 23 sailors escaped using the ship’s lifeboat and were later rescued by the Omani Navy, which transported them safely ashore.

Meanwhile, the damaged vessel is being towed to the port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates for further assessment.

Hadjimanoli said the deputy ministry has maintained constant contact with the ship’s management company since the incident and is closely monitoring developments while taking necessary actions.

She highlighted that the Strait of Hormuz poses significant risks to international shipping due to ongoing military activity.

Cyprus operates one of the world’s largest merchant fleets, with many vessels sailing internationally under the Cypriot flag, regardless of the nationality of their owners or crews.

The deputy ministry issued guidance to the shipping industry on February 28, advising on precautionary security measures as hostilities began.