The 22 Georgian crew members of a Greek-owned tanker hit by a suspected Iranian drone are reported to be in good health, with no injuries following the incident that caused a fire on board.
The incident involving a Greek-owned tanker flagged under Malta, which was struck by a suspected Iranian unmanned surface vehicle while conducting a ship-to-ship transfer in Iraqi territorial waters, has fortunately left the 22 Georgian crew members unharmed. The Greek Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy confirmed that there were no reported injuries among the crew, highlighting their good health after the incident. However, a fire broke out on the tanker following the hit, underscoring the dangers present in the region.
Quick action from the Iraqi firefighting forces and the local port authorities helped to bring the fire under control and eventually extinguish it, ensuring the safety of the crew and minimizing damage to the vessel. The Turkish government and Iraqi officials have been notified, and they have responded promptly to the situation, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime safety and security in the volatile waters.
This incident is part of a concerning trend of attacks on maritime vessels in the region, raising alarms over the safety of maritime operations in the Middle East. The Iraqi state oil marketing company (SOMO) confirmed that the tanker was transporting condensate energy products from Basra Gas Company, related to hydrocarbon export activities. This raises questions about the implications for oil supply chains and international maritime law regarding the conflict in the area.
