The Strait of Hormuz as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border of Oman's Musandam governorate. [Reuters]
The Strait of Hormuz as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border of Oman's Musandam governorate. [Reuters]

A liquefied natural gas carrier came under missile attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, leaving the vessel at risk of explosion.

Reuters, citing sources, reported Tuesday that the Qatari-flagged LNG tanker Al Rekayat caught fire after being struck by a missile near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier said an oil tanker and an LNG carrier transiting the Strait of Hormuz, 15 kilometers east of Oman's Lima, were hit by unidentified projectiles and caught fire.

The UKMTO did not identify the oil tanker, but the stricken vessel is believed to be the Al Rekayat.

One source said the Al Rekayat was carrying LNG at the time and sent out a distress signal after being struck on its port side.


kimstar@heraldcorp.com