An incident involving a tanker occurred 30 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, leading to structural damage after a powerful explosion. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel was at anchor within Iraqi territorial waters at the time of the blast.
The ship's captain reported a heavy explosion near the port side of the vessel. Immediately following the detonation, the crew observed a small craft departing the scene at high speed. While the tanker suffered damage and reported water ingress, the situation remains under control.
The crew is confirmed to be safe, and no injuries have been reported. Furthermore, there are no fires on board the vessel. Initial concerns regarding a potential oil spill from the cargo tanks have been dismissed; a subsequent update on March 5 clarified that the leakage consists of ballast water rather than cargo.
The tanker is currently maintaining its position while authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack. Maritime officials have advised masters of other vessels in the region to exercise extreme caution and immediately report any suspicious activity or objects.