Drone Hits US Gas Tanker in Egyptian Port, Two Ships Catch Fire

Two gas tankers at the port of Damietta in Egypt caught fire after one of them was suspected of being hit by a drone on Wednesday (29/7). The incident involving a US-owned gas storage vessel has raised concerns that the conflict in the Middle East could spread.

The British maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed that a US-owned gas storage tanker was involved in an incident at the port of Damietta in Egypt on Wednesday (29/7).

Meanwhile, the port services company Inchcape also reported that two gas tankers were on fire at the port. According to a source familiar with the incident, a drone is suspected of having struck the gas storage tanker Energos Winter, triggering a fire. The flames then spread to another tanker, Gaslog Salem, which was berthed nearby.

The British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the Energos Winter was hit by an unidentified projectile on the starboard side of its hull. The strike triggered a fire, but the flames were reported to have been extinguished before causing further damage.

Egypt’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that a fire had occurred at the port of Damietta. However, the Egyptian authorities have yet to comment on the suspected drone attack or the exact cause of the incident.

No party has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The event took place amid renewed conflict between the United States and Iran, which has raised tensions in the region.

In recent weeks, the United States, together with Saudi Arabia, has carried out military operations targeting pro-Iran militia groups in Iraq. At the same time, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen have also escalated, adding to concerns over a widening conflict in the Middle East. (CNN/Fer/P-3)