A tanker was recently hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, marking at least six vessel attacks in the strategic waterway since Sunday. According to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred during the tanker’s outbound transit, resulting in a small fire and a blackout aboard. Fortunately, the crew managed to extinguish the fire, and there were no reported casualties or environmental impact as the vessel continued its journey.
Investigations into the incident, identified as UKMTO Warning 148-26, are underway. However, UKMTO has not disclosed the identity of the tanker or the potential attackers. This latest strike contributes to a series of recent assaults in the strait. On Thursday, another tanker was also reported hit, causing a fire, but the crew remained safe, and details regarding damage and environmental consequences are still unclear.
Earlier in the week, delayed reports revealed that four other vessels were struck by similar projectiles. Among these incidents was a Sunday evening attack classified as “suspicious activity,” where the vessel experienced a fire that was put out, and its crew was unharmed. The increasing number of attacks and the lag in information dissemination have raised concerns about the speed at which these incidents are reported.
