A tanker struck off Qatar is carrying an unexploded projectile lodged in its engine room after being hit by two projectiles, one of which caused a fire that has since been extinguished, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Wednesday.
The vessel was struck approximately 17 nautical miles north of Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex, sustaining damage above the waterline.
The crew are reported safe and no environmental impact has been recorded. UKMTO said it could not confirm the source of the projectiles and that investigations were ongoing.
The incident is the latest in a string of attacks on commercial shipping in Gulf waters as the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies.
On Tuesday, Kuwait reported that one of its fully loaded oil tankers had been targeted off Dubai, triggering a fire. Maritime authorities have recorded multiple further security incidents affecting vessels in the region in recent days.
(Reuters)