Crew Abandons Burning Vessel After Projectile Strike In Strait Of Hormuz, Ship Left Adrift

The crew of a vessel abandoned ship after it was hit by an unknown projectile and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, leaving the vessel adrift as authorities investigated the incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The crew was rescued by a tugboat after safely leaving the vessel. The fire was still burning, but UKMTO said there was no reported environmental impact.

“The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile. The crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat,” UKMTO said in an update. “The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift.”

UKMTO first reported that the vessel was on fire about eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, Oman, based on information from a verified source. It later advised ships in the area to proceed with caution while authorities investigated.

In a separate update on Tuesday, UKMTO said it had received several reports that a tanker had broadcast over VHF Channel 16 that it had been struck by an unknown projectile about eight nautical miles east of Limah, Oman.

The agency said the tanker’s company security officer confirmed the crew had abandoned the vessel and boarded a lifeboat before being recovered by a tugboat. UKMTO did not identify the vessel, its owner, cargo, flag or destination.

Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz had exploded and were brought to a halt. In another statement on Tuesday, the Guards said rescue teams were evacuating the crews but did not identify the vessels.

Reuters could not independently verify the IRGC’s statement, and it was not immediately clear whether the tanker reported by UKMTO was one of the vessels mentioned by the Guards.

Tensions continue to affect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway between Iran and Oman that carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the conflict.

Iran blockaded the strait during the war. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States, Tehran is required to work with Oman on the future administration of the waterway, although it has said the arrangement will not return to its previous form.

In recent weeks, Iran has targeted tankers using a route close to Oman’s coast, seeking to direct vessels into Iranian waters and require payments for safe passage.

Regional tensions have remained high since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran in February. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries hosting U.S. assets.

Last month, the United States and Iran signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and working towards a lasting peace agreement. However, tensions rose again last week over the Strait of Hormuz, with both countries exchanging attacks.

The United States also reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports from July 14, including firing at an empty tanker in the strait that Washington said was bound for Iran. Tehran said it launched operations against U.S. bases in response to what it called maritime violations.

In a statement on Tuesday, the IRGC said, “As long as America’s mischief in the region continues, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and not even one drop of oil or gas nor a single shipment of chemical fertiliser will be exported from the area.”

References: turkiyetoday, Reuters