A tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles about 50 nautical miles (93 kilometers) off Qatar’s northern coast, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. The condition of the crew, the extent of the damage and any environmental impact were not immediately known.
The incident occurred at 11:20 p.m. GMT on Nov. 4 north of Madinat ash Shamal, Vesti Baku reported, citing UKMTO.
The tanker’s name and flag state have not been disclosed. No group has claimed responsibility, and the origin of the projectiles remains unknown.
Second Recent Maritime Incident Near Qatar
The attack was separate from an Oct. 30 incident involving the liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda, operated by Qatar’s Nakilat. That vessel was hit by unidentified objects while transiting the Persian Gulf. Its crew was unharmed, the ship remained under control and no environmental damage was reported.
The latest strike comes amid a series of incidents involving commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carried about 20% of global oil supplies in peacetime, making risks to shipping there internationally significant.
UKMTO advised vessels in the area to exercise heightened caution. The full consequences will remain unclear until more information is released about the tanker and its crew.