Jakarta. Families of three Indonesian sailors missing after a tugboat explosion in the Strait of Hormuz say they are still hoping for good news as search efforts continue amid rising tensions in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

Among the missing are captain Miswar Maturusi and engineer Sirajuddin, both from Luwu Regency in South Sulawesi, who were working aboard the Emirati-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 when it exploded and sank last Friday.

In Luwu, relatives of the missing sailors have gathered at family homes as they wait for updates from authorities.

Sri Dewi Aisyah, the wife of captain Miswar Maturusi, said she last communicated with her husband via WhatsApp before the ship entered the Strait of Hormuz.

“After a few days, we received news from his coworkers and the company that the ship had an accident,” she told Beritasatu.com on Wednesday. “There was information that he had survived, but later we were told he is still missing.”

Aisyah described her husband as a devoted father and a responsible figure in the family.

“My husband is very responsible toward our family and is very close to the children whenever he is home,” she said.

The families are hoping that the missing crew members will be found alive and returned home.

The vessel caught fire following an explosion early Friday while operating in waters between the United Arab Emirates and Oman, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Seven crew members from Indonesia, India and the Philippines were on board at the time of the incident. Three people survived, while four others — including three Indonesians — remain missing.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang said local authorities have launched search and rescue operations and Indonesia is coordinating with regional officials and the shipping company that owns the vessel.

“Search and rescue efforts by local authorities are underway, and we are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident,” Mewengkang said.

One Indonesian crew member who survived the explosion is currently receiving treatment for burn injuries at a hospital in Khasab, Oman. Another Indonesian technician who had been working on a nearby container ship is safe and has returned to Abu Dhabi.

According to witness accounts, the incident occurred while Musaffah 2 was preparing to tow a damaged container vessel, Safeen Prestige, which had lost power in Omani waters.

Technicians had boarded the container ship to assist with towing preparations when the tugboat suddenly exploded, triggering a fire that engulfed the vessel’s bridge area before it sank.