Unknown Projectile Strikes Ship Off UAE’s Sharjah Coast, Authorities Launch Probe

A vessel sailing about 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates reported an explosion caused by an unknown projectile early Sunday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

All crew members were safe, but the incident has raised concerns in one of the world’s busiest shipping areas.

The ship’s master said the explosion happened close to the vessel while it was moving through the area.

The type of projectile is still not known. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage to the ship.

The UKMTO first issued an attack warning after receiving the report.

Later, it said the case had been reviewed and there was no clear evidence to confirm that the vessel was the intended target. Authorities are now looking into the incident.

The area where this happened is a key route for global shipping, with many vessels carrying oil, fuel, and cargo passing through every day.

Even small security incidents in this region can make ship operators more cautious.

In recent years, there have been several reports of drones, missiles, or unknown objects near commercial ships in the Gulf region.

In many cases, it has been difficult to confirm who was responsible or what the actual target was.

Following this latest report, ships have been advised to stay alert and report anything unusual.

References: Reuters, balkanweb