(MENAFN) An Israeli-owned vessel flying Liberia's flag suffered a nearby blast from an unidentified missile while transiting waters off Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced Sunday.

Ship personnel reported observing a water impact in immediate vicinity accompanied by explosive sounds.

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 40NM (46 miles) southwest of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia," the maritime authority stated.

The agency obtained the incident notification directly from the vessel's captain, who verified crew safety remained intact and the tanker maintained its planned route.

Authorities launched an investigation into the attack while issuing navigation warnings for heightened vigilance and mandatory reporting of irregular maritime activities.

UKMTO's statement omitted naming responsible parties, despite the location falling within Yemen's Houthi militant operational zone where commercial shipping faces regular targeting.

The Iran-backed Houthis have executed sustained missile and unmanned aerial vehicle campaigns against Israeli interests and international merchant traffic across Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea waters since November 2023, citing solidarity with Gaza Palestinians amid Israel's military offensive that has claimed nearly 63,500 lives.

These maritime assaults have severely compromised international trade corridors, compelling numerous cargo ships to abandon Red Sea passages for extended African route alternatives.

The attack follows Saturday's Houthi confirmation that Prime Minister Ahmed Ghalib Al-Rahawi and multiple cabinet officials perished in Thursday's Israeli airstrike targeting Sanaa.

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