The Panama-flagged MT Louise 1 was struck by two limpet mines approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, igniting an engine room fire. Crew members managed to extinguish the flames and restart their journey, with the British navy agency UKMTO confirming no environmental damage occurred. Indian government officials confirmed all 27 Indian nationals aboard the tanker are safe, alongside two others affected by an earlier incident on the MT Arzanah. The deployment of small craft to place low-tech explosives in crowded shipping corridors has significantly amplified security alarms across the waterway.
Key points
The strike represents the first confirmed limpet mine attack against a commercial ship in…: The strike represents the first confirmed limpet mine attack against a commercial ship in the waterway since the US-Iran war started.
British naval agency UKMTO reported that the explosion caused no environmental damage to…: British naval agency UKMTO reported that the explosion caused no environmental damage to the surrounding waters.
Iranian state media claimed the Revolutionary Guard targeted tankers taking unauthorized…: Iranian state media claimed the Revolutionary Guard targeted tankers taking unauthorized routes, though the allegations remain unconfirmed by the U.S. military.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A Panama-flagged oil tanker MT LOUISE 1 carrying 27 Indian seafarers was targeted with limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known successful use of the explosives against a vessel in the area since the US-Iran war began in February.
Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday that all 29 Indian seafarers aboard two tankers targeted in separate attacks on October 29 and 30 were safe, with no injuries reported.
In a post on X, Sonowal said, "On October 29, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, and on Oct 30, Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz."
"All 29 Indian seafarers across both vessels are completely safe with no injuries,"he said.
"We are continuously monitoring the situations & coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of our crew," he added.
The attacks come amid repeated incidents involving commercial vessels in and around the strategic waterway, a key route for global…
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