Ship carrying crude oil to Mangalore hit by drone off Porbandar coast on Saturday

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 24, 2023: A ship carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru port was struck by a drone off Gujarat coast on Saturday. Officials said that the crew members, including 20 Indians, are safe. The ship named MV Chem Pluto, carrying the Liberian flag, was struck by the drone on Saturday evening.

The drone strike took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat. The ship caught fire following the attack. ICGS Vikram of the Indian Coast Guard has been directed towards the cargo vessel after receiving the distress message from the ship. It is reported that although the fire on the ship was extinguished, the operation was affected.

However, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The drone strike was confirmed by the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and global maritime risk management firm Ambrey. An investigation has been initiated into the incident. Caution was issued to other ships.

The Indian Navy had dispatched a P8I maritime patrol aircraft and a warship to assist the Liberian-flagged commercial ship Chem Pluto which is understood to have started its journey, carrying crude, from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on December 19. It was bound for New Mangalore where it was expected to arrive December 25. On Sunday, the US Department of Defense said that the aerial attack was launched from Iran.