A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker carrying 27 Indian crew members was struck by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire in its engine room and temporarily disabling the vessel, Reuters
reported.
The tanker, MT LOUISE 1, was targeted by a small craft that attached two limpet mines to its hull, according to the report. The subsequent explosions sparked a fire in the engine room, but the crew managed to extinguish it and restore the vessel’s operations.
There was no environmental impact from the incident and the tanker continued its voyage. All 27 Indian crew members were reported to be safe.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British naval agency, said the incident occurred around 46 km northeast of Khasab in Oman.
The attack marks the first successful use of limpet mines against a vessel in the strategic waterway since the conflict began in February.
How Limpet Mines Were Used To Target Tanker
Limpet mines are explosive devices that can be attached directly to the hull of a ship. Reuters reported that they were first deployed in the region in 2017 and were subsequently used in attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Greece-based maritime risk management group Marisks described the weapons as cheap and easily available.
“The methodology of a small craft attaching these mines on the hulls of vessels in transit is cheap, low tech and very efficient,” the group told Reuters.
Another Tanker Carrying Indians Attacked A Day Earlier
The incident came a day after MT ARZANAH, a Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying two Indian nationals, was attacked by projectiles while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the Indian sailors aboard the vessel were safe and had not sustained any injuries.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sarbananda Sonowal said the government was continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with ship management companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Indian crew members.
