Two explosions strike cargo vessel near Iraqi waters

UK maritime agency says unidentified projectile hit the ship

Second blast believed to be drone strike

Maritime safety fears grow as Strait of Hormuz remains blocked

[Yonhap]
[Yonhap]

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

A cargo ship sailing through Gulf waters was struck by an unidentified projectile and exploded, raising questions about who carried out the attack and why. The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the Middle East following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Sunday that a cargo vessel was struck by a projectile while sailing roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Iraq's Umm Qasr port, according to CNN and Reuters. "An unknown projectile struck the starboard side of the vessel as it transited the Arabian Gulf, causing a large explosion," UKMTO said, adding that no environmental damage had been confirmed and that authorities were investigating.

The Iraqi government confirmed the vessel suffered two separate explosions.

The second blast is believed to have been caused by a drone strike. An Iraqi coast guard official told Reuters that crew members heard a drone circling overhead while assessing damage from the first explosion. "Shortly after, a powerful blast occurred and a fire broke out on the vessel," the official said.

The fire was later extinguished.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The vessel's nationality, registry and cargo have not been disclosed.

The incident occurred as anxiety over Middle East maritime logistics has grown since Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, through which roughly 20 percent of the world's seaborne oil passes, is currently operating under restricted transit. Some vessels have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to avoid Iranian surveillance, and others have reportedly passed through the strait under U.S. military escort.


sjy@heraldcorp.com