Iranian fishermen and salvage boat operators recovered hundreds of iPhones, French perfumes, and other imported goods from the Strait of Hormuz after they spilled into the sea following an incident involving the cargo ship GFS Pride, The Telegraph reported. Videos circulating on social media showed fishermen navigating half-submerged containers and grabbing packed iPhones and other goods floating on the water as the vessel sank in the strait.
The vessel, flagged in Singapore, sank after a fire broke out on board, according to Singaporean authorities. All 21 crew members were evacuated safely without injuries.
The incident has drawn significant attention due to the high value of the cargo lost in the turbulent waters of the strait. However, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy said that the vessel, reportedly carrying more than 2,500 containers, had entered an "unauthorised and dangerous" route and struck a sea mine, triggering the blaze.
The ship sank on October 14 in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report. The sinking marks the second vessel to go down within 24 hours and the third reported ship lost during the current regional tensions, which began in late February and left the strait effectively closed to normal traffic.
The loss of such a large cargo ship has further complicated maritime logistics in the area. On Friday, Iranian army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the strait would reopen if the United States withdrew from the region.
He emphasized that the presence of foreign military forces remains a primary point of contention regarding the safety of the waterway. "If America leaves the region, the Strait of Hormuz will open, collective security will be established with the participation of regional states, and the global economy will improve.
And if it does not leave, we will expel it," the report cited the spokesperson as saying. International maritime experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and goods shipments.
The recovery of luxury goods by local fishermen highlights the chaotic nature of the incident and the lack of immediate salvage control. As of now, the Singaporean authorities are coordinating with local Iranian officials to assess the environmental impact of the sunken vessel and the remaining containers.
The recovery efforts by local fishermen continue to be a point of interest for global observers. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in the Persian Gulf, where commercial shipping continues to face significant risks.
Both regional and international stakeholders are calling for de-escalation to ensure the safety of global trade routes. Further investigations are expected to determine the exact cause of the fire and the subsequent sinking of the GFS Pride, as conflicting reports from Singapore and Iran continue to circulate in the media.