Tanker Hit by Projectiles off Qatar, Casualties Reported

A tanker was struck by multiple projectiles off Qatar on Wednesday, October 7, and casualties were reported, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The incident occurred about 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar, in the Persian Gulf, outside the immediate approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO said authorities were investigating. The reports did not identify the tanker, specify how many people were killed or injured, or disclose where the projectiles came from. No perpetrator was identified. The available information did not establish whether the strike affected other vessel movements or oil exports. The reported strike was the first attack deep in the Persian Gulf since a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, on September 9, according to the incident reporting. In recent weeks, most reported attacks and other maritime incidents have taken place in or near the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO reported nine attacks in and around the strait during the first seven days of October, half the number reported across the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf in all of September.