Israel-Affiliated Merchant Vessel Hit By Aerial Vehicle

An Israel-affiliated merchant vessel was struck by an uncrewed aerial vehicle off India’s west coast, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.

Report says this is the first such known attack so far away from the Red Sea since the Gaza war.

A fire on the Liberian-flagged tanker was extinguished without crew casualties in the incident 200 km southwest of the Indian city of Veraval, it said, adding some “structural damage was also reported and some water was taken onboard.”

“Merchant’s vessels are advised that these types of attacks are typically targeted at Israel-affiliated shipping but have in the past mistakenly hit previously Israel-affiliated vessels,” Ambrey said.

“This event fell within Ambrey’s Iranian UAV heightened threat area,” he said.

Meanwhile, An Indian Navy official told newsmen that it responded to a request for assistance.

“The safety of crew and ship has been ascertained. The Navy has also dispatched a warship to arrive in the area and provide assistance as required,” the official said.

Additionally, eyewitnesses identified the tanker as MV Chem Pluto carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, with around 20 Indians on board.

The ship was headed towards the Port of Mangalore in India’s south.

The hit on the vessel follows drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthis, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip, on commercial shipping, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere