Qatari LNG carrier narrowly avoids explosion after reported attack

A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier narrowly avoided a catastrophic explosion, while a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker was damaged near the Strait of Hormuz after Iran reportedly launched missiles at commercial vessels in the strategic waterway overnight, Reuters reports, citing sources.

According to a source, the LNG tanker Al Rekayyat, carrying a cargo of liquefied natural gas, issued distress calls after being struck on its port side.

Another source familiar with the incident said the vessel faced the risk of exploding after a fire broke out in its engine room. All crew members were reported safe and were being evacuated.

"Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room," the ship's captain said in a recorded radio transmission reviewed by Reuters. "Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage."

The incident marks the first reported strike on a Qatari LNG vessel since the outbreak of the Iran war at the end of February. Qatar has served as a mediator in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Maritime security sources also reported damage to the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Wedyan off the coast of Oman. The cause of the damage was not immediately established.

Al Rekayyat is owned and operated by Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat), one of the world's largest LNG shipping companies. Shipping data from LSEG showed the vessel last transmitted its position on June 18, indicating that its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder had been switched off.

The Wedyan is owned and managed by Saudi shipping company Bahri.

Bahri, Nakilat, QatarEnergy, Qatar's International Media Office, the Saudi government's media office and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said preliminary information indicated that Iran had targeted two commercial vessels.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov