Ship Catches Fire After Being Hit By Unknown Projectile In Strait Of Hormuz

A vessel was hit by an “unknown projectile” while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, causing a fire on board, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.

UKMTO said it received a delayed report from a third party about the incident.

According to the report, the vessel was hit by a suspected unknown projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of September 28.

The impact caused a fire on the vessel. The fire was later extinguished.

The crew were safe, the agency said. It added that there was no reported environmental impact and no damage assessment had been made.

UKMTO did not identify the vessel or say where the projectile came from.

The agency has told vessels to be careful while passing through the Strait of Hormuz and to report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate.

The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for the global oil and LNG trade. Before the war, around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the waterway.

Since the conflict began, Iran has been blocking commercial ships from passing through the strait. Tehran has also fired on vessels it says were making unauthorised crossings.

The United States has responded with a counterblockade of Iranian ports to stop Iran from exporting its oil.

Authorities are investigating the incident, while UKMTO has advised vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz with caution and report any suspicious activity.

References: UKMTO, NDTV