Iranian fishermen search for iPhones and perfumes after a ship carrying more than 2,500 containers sank in the Strait of Hormuz

Hundreds of Iranian fishermen took small boats into the Strait of Hormuz to recover goods that ended up in the water after the commercial vessel GFS Pride sank. The goods reportedly stored in the containers include the latest iPhones, French perfumes and other valuable products.

The Singapore-flagged vessel was carrying more than 2,500 containers. After a fire broke out, the ship sank, leaving several containers adrift. All 21 crew members were evacuated safely and no one was injured.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claims that the GFS Pride entered a prohibited maritime route and struck a mine, which allegedly caused the fire. This is, for now, the version presented by Iranian authorities.

Images shared on social media show numerous boats moving among the floating containers. Some fishermen are collecting boxes, while others are trying to tow entire containers. The Iranian Navy has urged them to exercise caution, as the drifting objects pose a danger to maritime traffic.

GFS Pride is the third commercial vessel to sink since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East and the second lost in approximately 24 hours. Amid escalating attacks, Iran has made the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz conditional on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.