The 22 Georgian nationals who are the crew of a Greek-owned tanker flying the Maltese flag, which was struck by a possible Iranian unmanned surface vessel while conducting a ship-to-ship transfer operation within Iraqi territorial waters, are in good health.
According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Affairs, no injuries were reported among the crew members as a result of the incident. However, a fire broke out on the tanker after the collision.
The fire was brought under control and eventually extinguished with the assistance of Iraqi firefighting forces and local port authorities, who were immediately mobilized to the area.
Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) confirmed that the ship was carrying concentrated energy products of Basra Gas Company as part of commercial activities to export hydrocarbons from the country.
The incident adds to the series of attacks recorded in recent days in the wider Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region, heightening concerns about the safety of navigation in one of the world’s most important energy passages.
