Vessel Catches Fire After Projectile Strike In Strait Of Hormuz

(MENAFN) A fire broke out aboard a commercial vessel after it was hit by an unidentified projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Sunday.

UKMTO said it received the first report of the incident at 2300GMT Saturday, although it did not provide details on when the vessel was struck.

Initial information indicated that the condition of the crew, the extent of damage to the ship and any possible environmental consequences had not yet been determined.

In a subsequent update Sunday, UKMTO confirmed that a fire had started aboard the vessel following the reported attack.

Local authorities were responding to the incident and assisting with the evacuation of crew members, the maritime authority said.

UKMTO urged ships operating in the area to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as investigations into the incident continued.

The incident occurred amid a growing number of attacks targeting commercial shipping in connection with the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Several merchant vessels have recently come under attack in the northern Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and waters near Iraq.

Separately, Iranian authorities said Sunday that a commercial vessel was struck near Hengam Island, off Iran’s southern Qeshm Island, leaving one person dead and three others injured. Iranian state media described the incident as a US attack.

MENAFN13092026000045018846ID1111657583