2nd cargo vessel in hours hit by 'unknown projectile' in Strait of Hormuz: UK Maritime Trade Operations
There were no reports of environmental damage, and crew were safe and unharmed, says UK-based maritime security monitoring center
ISTANBUL
A cargo vessel was struck by "an unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, marking the second such incident reported within hours in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
UKMTO said it had received a report that a bulk carrier was hit by an unidentified projectile about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel’s master reported the incident to the UK-based maritime security monitoring center.
There were no reports of environmental damage, and the crew were safe and unharmed, according to the advisory.
Authorities have launched an investigation, while vessels transiting the area have been advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity.
The latest incident follows another report earlier in the day of a cargo ship being struck by an unknown projectile in the same strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz carries around 20 million barrels of oil daily. Its disruption has already pushed oil prices above since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on Feb. 28.
The escalation in the Middle East has flared since Israel and the US launched joint attackd on Iran on Feb. 28, to date killing more than 1,200 people, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was the supreme leader.
