Image Credits - ANI
A merchant vessel affiliated with Israel was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle, resulting in a fire, as reported by British maritime security firm Ambrey. This incident marks the first known attack of its kind occurring far from the Red Sea since the Gaza war.
The chemical products tanker, named MV Chem Pluto flying the Liberian flag, was hit approximately 200 km southwest of the Indian city of Veraval. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the crew, and the fire was extinguished. However, the vessel did sustain some structural damage and took on some water.
The ship was transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia and had around 20 Indian nationals on board. At the time of the incident, the vessel had recently departed from Saudi Arabia and was en route to India, according to ANI.
An official from the Indian Navy confirmed that they promptly responded to a request for assistance on Saturday morning. “The safety of the crew and the ship has been ensured. The Navy has dispatched a warship to the area to provide necessary assistance,” stated the official.
A Reuters tracker indicated that the ship was heading towards the Port of Mangalore in southern India. The Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram is currently en route to the MV Chem Pluto, which reported the fire incident suspected to be a result of a drone attack. The merchant ship, carrying crude oil and manned by 20 Indian crew members, had departed from a Saudi Arabian port.
The ICGS Vikram was already on patrol in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone when it was redirected to aid the distressed vessel. All crew members, including the 20 Indians, are safe. The ICGS Vikram has alerted all nearby ships, urging them to assist.
This occurrence occurred after Iran-backed Houthis carried out drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, which resulted in commercial shipping being redirected to longer routes around the southern tip of Africa. Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, has advised that these attacks are typically aimed at shipping affiliated with Israel. Still, there have been instances where vessels not affiliated with Israel were mistakenly targeted.
This incident falls within their designated area of heightened threat from Iranian UAVs according to Ambrey, a British maritime security firm. The attack on the vessel is part of a series of drone and missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, who claim to be supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are under siege by Israel. As a result, shippers have had to alter their routes to avoid the affected area.