Three Tankers Reported Hit Near Strait of Hormuz

Three commercial tankers have been reported struck by unidentified projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz since October 1, according to accounts citing the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO). Two incidents were reported Friday, and a third was reported early Saturday off Oman. The reports did not identify who was responsible. In one Friday incident, a tanker leaving the strait suffered a small fire and lost power, UKMTO said. The fire was extinguished, and the vessel resumed its journey. No casualties or environmental damage were reported. Hours later, a crude oil tanker reported a strike east of Oman; its crew were safe, and no environmental damage was reported, according to the agency. The Saturday incident involved a crude tanker struck on its port side about four nautical miles off Oman, according to a separate account citing UKMTO. An agency report published Sunday also described an unknown projectile damaging a tanker’s engine room, with the crew unharmed and no environmental impact recorded. That account did not give an incident date or identify the vessel, so it is unclear whether it refers to the Saturday strike or another event.