In a dramatic maritime incident near Port Victoria, the Comorian-flagged cargo vessel Serdal sank while anchored at the inner anchorage just east of Île de Romainville. The Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) and the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) confirmed the vessel’s capsizing, which occurred under unclear circumstances.
According to preliminary reports, the vessel was stationary at anchor when it began to list and rapidly took on water before disappearing beneath the surface. While most of the crew were rescued during an urgent response operation, one crew member remains unaccounted for.
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway, led by the Seychelles Coast Guard, with support from nearby vessels and maritime authorities.
“The safety of crew and environmental protection remain our top priorities,” an SPA official told The Seychelles Times. “We are working with relevant agencies to locate the missing individual and assess any potential marine hazards caused by the sunken vessel.”
The SMSA has issued a navigation advisory to all vessels operating in the vicinity, urging them to avoid the area until further notice. A safety perimeter has been established, and the wreck site is being monitored to prevent environmental contamination and traffic disruption in the nation’s busiest port zone.
Authorities have yet to release details about the cause of the incident or whether adverse weather, structural failure, or other factors played a role. An investigation is expected to follow once the site is secured and the full crew is accounted for.
As Seychelles continues to expand its maritime traffic and port infrastructure, the Serdal incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise—even in calm waters.
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