Tanker hit by limpet mines in Strait of Hormuz

A Panama-flagged tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers was hit by two limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz on October 30, starting an engine-room fire before its crew extinguished it and the vessel resumed its voyage, according to maritime-security sources cited in reports. The tanker, MT LOUISE 1, was temporarily unable to operate after the explosions. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident occurred about 25 nautical miles, or 46 kilometres, northeast of Khasab, Oman. UKMTO reported that the crew was safe and the fire had been extinguished. It did not identify the vessel; maritime-security sources identified it as MT LOUISE 1. India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all 27 Indian seafarers aboard the tanker were safe. Reports said there were no injuries or environmental damage. The vessel later continued its journey. The attack followed a separate incident on October 29 involving the Liberia-flagged tanker MT ARZANAH, which was targeted by projectiles while carrying two Indian nationals. Sonowal said those two crew members were also safe. He said the government was monitoring the situation and coordinating with...