Seafarer killed in suspected missile attack on tanker in Gulf
One seafarer died after an explosion believed to be from a missile hit the tanker MT Velos Sapphire in the Gulf on Thursday. The ship's manager, Velos Tankers, announced the death on Friday.
- One seafarer died on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Velos Sapphire.
- The ship was sailing unladen toward Bahrain when it was hit, its manager said.
- UKMTO data show more than 35 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz in October.
One seafarer was killed in an explosion believed to have been caused by a missile attack on an oil products tanker in the Gulf on Thursday, the ship's operator said on Friday. The vessel is the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Velos Sapphire, managed by the Greek firm Velos Tankers.
According to the company, the tanker was sailing unladen toward Bahrain when it was attacked. The seafarer was initially reported missing after the blast and was later found fatally injured on board.
Velos Tankers said: "The company is greatly saddened to report the death of one of its seafarers, who was found fatally injured on board after having initially been reported missing in the aftermath of the explosion."
The explosion started a fire on the ship, which the crew put out. No other injuries were reported. Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port took in the vessel, and an investigation will assess the extent of damage to the hull.
DW described the incident as the latest in a string of attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf attributed to Iran. The Wall Street Journal cited regional officials, security firms and analysts as saying Iran has used bomb-laden undersea drones, rocket-propelled grenades and limpet mines attached by crews in recent weeks to stop oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
According to data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center, October had the highest monthly number of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, with more than 35 incidents. At least five vessels have been attacked so far in November.
Iranian media reported on Thursday that five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire after hitting mines in the strait. On Friday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said, according to state media, that two more oil tankers were on fire there. US Central Command said it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil via Hormuz since the summer.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 5 November that the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Houthi missile fired toward the Medina region. On 6 November it reported that Iraq told US President Donald Trump its territory would not be used to attack neighbours.
Why it matters
Pakistan's oil imports and trade depend on Gulf sea routes. On 5 November petrol stood at Rs352.59 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs382.25, according to figures recorded by khabr.pk. Attacks on shipping in the Gulf raise concern about fuel costs and the safety of these routes for Pakistani trade.
