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Buque cisterna navegando por un estrecho al amanecer con una embarcación pequeña alejándose y humo leve sobre la cubierta
Representación generada de un buque cisterna en un estrecho al amanecer, con una embarcación pequeña alejándose. · Imagen generada por EPM

Explosive attack targets tanker off Oman in Strait of Hormuz

A tanker was attacked with explosives off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, according to UKMTO. Two devices placed on the hull caused a fire in the engine room.

An oil tanker was targeted on Friday in an explosive attack off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, according to UKMTO, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre linked to the British navy. The crew is safe and no one has claimed responsibility. --- The context --- UKMTO gathers reports from vessels and passes on precautionary advice to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway where the incident took place. The incident also took place after a ship sank on Thursday off the coast of Oman following a fire on board, after an incident in the Strait of Hormuz for which no details have yet emerged. --- The facts --- The centre said the incident took place 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab and that the vessel was attempting to leave the area when it suffered a fire caused by the explosions, centred on the engine room, which left the ship temporarily inoperable. A small craft approached the tanker on its port side and placed two explosive devices on the hull, above the waterline. UKMTO also stated that the fire had reportedly been extinguished and that the vessel continues on its route towards its next port of call. --- The positions --- The only position known is that of UKMTO. The organisation attributed the fire to the explosions, confirmed that the crew is safe and that there is no environmental impact, and reiterated its advice to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity. --- What remains unknown --- What remains unknown is who placed the devices and for what purpose, because no one has claimed responsibility. No details have emerged either about the incident on Thursday in the same strait, nor any explanation linking or ruling out a connection between the two events. --- Unanswered questions --- Who placed the two explosive devices on the hull of the tanker from the small craft? Is there any link between this attack and the incident on Thursday that ended with a ship sinking off Oman? What steps will vessels in the area take after the advice from UKMTO? --- EPM analysis --- The pattern described is that of a direct action against the hull from a smaller craft. The fire in the engine room marks the extent of the damage, while the crew was unharmed and no environmental impact was reported. 📌 EPM Take: In EPM's view, what can be verified today is limited and should be stated plainly: there was an explosive attack against a tanker off Oman, the crew is safe, there is no environmental impact, and the vessel remains on its route towards its next port. But responsibility remains unclaimed and the incident on Thursday in the same strait is still without known details. Until attributable and checkable facts exist, the responsible course is to maintain caution at sea and not turn an absence of claimants into accusations without documented backing.
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