Saudi Tanker Incident Kills Two Filipino Crew Members Amid US-Iran Tensions

Two Filipino crew members were killed in an incident involving the Saudi-flagged oil tanker SIDR while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz on August 31. The deaths occurred at around 11:40 p.m. local time, according to Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri.

Bahri confirmed that two Filipino seafarers were killed and expressed condolences to their families and colleagues. The company stated that it was providing full support to those affected and remained in direct contact with the tanker, coordinating with relevant authorities and maritime organizations.

The incident occurred amid a sharp escalation between the United States and Iran around the strategically vital waterway. On August 30, US forces struck what CENTCOM said were two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, saying Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.