Vessel Catches Fire After Projectile Strike in Strait of Hormuz

(MENAFN) A vessel caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

UKMTO said it received the first report of the incident at 2300GMT Saturday, although the exact time of the strike was not disclosed.

At first, the maritime authority said information about the crew’s condition, the extent of the vessel’s damage and any potential environmental impact was unavailable.

In a later update, UKMTO confirmed that a fire had erupted aboard the vessel following the reported attack.

Local authorities reached the scene and were assisting in evacuating members of the crew, it said.

UKMTO urged ships operating in the area to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity while the circumstances of the incident were being investigated.

The incident occurred amid a series of attacks against commercial shipping linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Several merchant vessels have recently been targeted 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 the southern Iranian island of Qeshm, killing one person and injuring three others. Iranian state media described the incident as a US attack.

MENAFN13092026000045018846ID1111657594