Iranian Attack Sets Oil Tanker Ablaze in Strait of Hormuz

Oil tanker ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian attack (Photo: social media)

A day after initial reports of an attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, dramatic footage from the scene has emerged showing the vessel engulfed in flames in the middle of the sea, with firefighting tugboats racing to the site in an attempt to control the blaze.

The incident occurred on Saturday, when the tanker was sailing approximately eight nautical miles off the coast of Khasab, in Oman's Musandam Peninsula in the northern part of the country. Crew members were evacuated from the ship, and no casualties were reported. At least two firefighting tugboats arrived at the scene and worked to bring the fire under control.

Firefighting tugboats battle flames on tanker struck in Strait of Hormuz (Photo: social media)

The vessel was later identified as the Navig8 Messi, an oil products tanker flying the Liberian flag and indirectly linked to ADNOC Logistics & Services of the United Arab Emirates. The company is part of the UAE's national oil company group.

But this tanker has a prior history of confrontation with Iran. According to maritime tracking reports, on August 13 it was already attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. After sustaining damage, it underwent repairs and returned to service on the shipping route. Now it has been caught in another attack incident in the area.

The current incident joins a series of maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a report in Maritime Executive, on the same day another vessel was also reported hit by a projectile while sailing through the strait. In the second case, all crew members were reported safe.