A vessel carrying more than 2,500 containers is reported to have caught fire and sunk after hitting a naval mine in the 24-mile Strait of Hormuz.
A Singapore-flagged container ship has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, while a separate dry bulk carrier damaged in an earlier attack is also reported to be sinking, maritime security sources said on Wednesday.
The GFS Pride container ship, with a small 2,824 TEU (20-ft equivalent unit) capacity, is “reported sunk with floating containers … mariners cautioned,” the Hydrographer of Pakistan said in a navigational warning to ships dated October 14.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy, previously said the vessel, carrying more than 2,500 containers, had attempted to transit what it described as an “unauthorised and dangerous” route. The ship caught fire after hitting a naval mine and has sunk in the south of the Strait.
It comes as the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an incident where a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile – although it is currently unclear whether the two incidents are linked.
In a statement, Iran’s Guards have warned local vessels and fishermen to take care.
Source: www.reuters.com