Merchant Vessel and Crew Reported Safe After Incident Near Djibouti

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a merchant vessel and its crew are safe following an incident that occurred 72 nautical miles east southeast of the port of Djibouti. According to the UKMTO, the master of the vessel reported an explosion in the water at a distance from the ship on Wednesday morning around 9:00 AM UTC. "The Master of a Merchant Vessel reported an explosion in the water near the vessel," the UKMTO stated.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, but initial reports indicate the vessel and crew were unharmed. "Both the vessel and its crew have been reported as safe," the UKMTO confirmed. The agency has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and immediately report any suspicious activity.

Why this matters: The waters off the coast of Djibouti have seen an increase in maritime security incidents in recent months. This latest event highlights the ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the region and the need for vigilance by crews and authorities.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region. The UKMTO recently issued an advisory warning of increased uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) activity in the Gulf and Western Indian Ocean, which may be linked to an Israeli military strike on Isfahan, Iran. However, there are no indications at this time that any commercial vessels were affected by the UAV activity or the incident near Djibouti.

The UKMTO, which monitors maritime security in the region, said it will provide further updates as more information becomes available about the incident. "UKMTO has issued an advisory for vessels in the region to transit with caution and urged them to report any suspicious activity immediately," the agency stated. Authorities continue to investigate the cause and nature of the explosion reported near the merchant vessel off Djibouti.

Key Takeaways

• Merchant vessel reported explosion near Djibouti, crew unharmed.
• Authorities investigating incident, no indication of impact on vessels.
• UKMTO advises caution and reporting of suspicious activity in the area.
• Region sees increased maritime security incidents in recent months.
• Incident amid heightened tensions, no link to UAV activity or Iran strike.