Bulk Carrier Sinks In Strait Of Hormuz After Splitting In Two, 23 Crew Rescued

A cargo ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz after taking on water and breaking apart off Iran’s Bandar Abbas, with all 23 crewmembers rescued safely, according to Iranian media.

The Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Luni, which is 32 years old, was anchored in the northern part of the Strait of Hormuz on July 14 when it began taking on water.

The vessel later split into two and partially sank in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

The incident took place as tensions between Iran and the United States escalated in the region. However, there is no evidence that the sinking was connected to the ongoing military operations.

Iran’s Fars state-owned news agency reported that all 23 crew members, who are foreign nationals, were evacuated safely before the vessel went down. They were taken to Qeshm Island, and no injuries have been reported.

Local media said Luni had collided with another vessel several days before the sinking and suffered damage to its hull. According to those reports, the damage allowed water to enter the ship, eventually causing it to flood, split apart and sink.

Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of the incident, and no formal statement has been issued. The identity of the other vessel involved in the reported collision has also not been made public.

BREAKING: Footage of the bulk carrier Luni sinking in the Strait of Hormuz today after a hull fracture that led to it splitting in two near Bandar Abbas.

This comes as Trump claims to be “Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.” pic.twitter.com/2sNo8ypX4u

— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 14, 2026

MarineTraffic data cited in reports showed that Luni had departed from India and was bound for a port in the United Arab Emirates.

The vessel entered the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman, with its last recorded position near the strait at around 2 p.m. IST.

Local media also reported that explosions were heard around Bandar Abbas and nearby Qeshm Island at around the time of the incident. However, it has not been established whether the explosions were related to the sinking.

The incident occurred on the same day the United States announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and coastal areas following renewed hostilities with Iran.

Reports said U.S. Central Command launched fresh strikes, while Iran responded with attacks on U.S. bases in allied countries.

According to the reports, the United States also struck Iranian missile and radar sites along the Persian Gulf, saying the operation was intended to reduce Tehran’s ability to target commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports further said that a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries last month had collapsed.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on July 8 that the interim peace agreement was “over” after what he described as a series of maritime violations in the Persian Gulf. A naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and coastal areas was reinstated on July 14.

Despite the timing of the incident, there is currently no evidence linking Luni’s sinking to the military activity. Local reports continue to attribute the loss of the vessel to damage caused by the earlier reported collision.

References: bairdmaritime, wionews