Footage has captured the moment Iranian fisherman in the Strait of Hormuz made an unexpected catch, as packets of perfume bottles and iPhone boxes floated in the water near a sunken cargo ship while people in small boats rushed to collect the goods.
Ship sinks after mine strike
The Singapore-flagged container ship, GFS Pride, was carrying iPhones and luxury perfume bottles from Dubai when it caught fire and sank on Wednesday after being hit by a projectile. Iran confirmed a UAE-owned cargo ship sank following a mine strike.
The 21 crew members onboard were safely evacuated, according to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority.
Disputed circumstances
Iran's IRGC reportedly said the cargo ship sank after hitting a naval mine while travelling along what it described as an unauthorised route through the strait. However, maritime officials reported that the vessel had been struck by an unidentified projectile, leaving the precise circumstances of the sinking disputed.
Regional impact
The ship is one of many affected by Iran's hold on the strait since war broke out in February after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East and closing the Strait of Hormuz, planting mines and choking access through the global shipping route.
