Drone near India hits crude oil tanker

(Patria) - A drone hit a cargo ship near the coast of the Indian state of Gujarat yesterday.

The Liberia-flagged chemical tanker was linked to Israel and was traveling from Saudi Arabia to India, according to maritime security company Ambrey, BBC reports.

The drone attack caused a fire on the ship. The fire has been extinguished, and none of the approximately 20 crew members were injured.

This attack occurred after a series of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, carried out by Iran-backed Houthis.

The attack took place 370 kilometers southwest of the city of Veraval, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). It caused structural damage to the tanker.

Indian media report that the tanker is MV Chem Pluto, which was carrying crude oil. They reported that water entered the tanker.

Ambrey says the attack, the first of its kind far from the Red Sea, occurred in an area that the company considers an area of increased threat from Iranian drones. The Indian Navy has dispatched an aircraft and warships to assist.