UKMTO Reports Explosions Near Tanker Off Yemen

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Sunday that a commercial tanker encountered multiple explosions in close proximity to the vessel approximately 60 nautical miles south of Yemen's port city of Mokha. According to UKMTO, the tanker's company security officer reported observing the blasts near the ship while it was transiting the strategic waterway. The agency said the crew were reported safe and that no environmental impact had been recorded following the incident. UKMTO did not identify the tanker involved or specify what caused the explosions, and said authorities are investigating. UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity, citing the need for heightened vigilance given ongoing security concerns in the region. The waters off Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait and nearby shipping lanes, have seen repeated security incidents affecting commercial vessels in recent years, prompting maritime authorities to regularly issue advisories to shipping companies transiting the corridor between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.