Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Tanker Catches Fire After Unknown Projectile Strike Off Saudi Coast
A tanker ship caught fire in the Red Sea after something called an unknown projectile hit it.
A UK maritime agency reported the incident.
The agency did not say who launched the projectile.
Earlier this month, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking another Saudi-linked tanker.
Reports said at least six people died and 10 were hurt in that attack.
Three of the crew members who died were Pakistani, and one was Indonesian.
Yemen’s coast guard said another missile later hit people trying to rescue those on the ship.
The report said this was the group’s first deadly vessel attack since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.
A tanker caught fire after being hit by an “unknown projectile” off Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
The incident was reported by a UK maritime agency, which did not identify the projectile’s source.
Earlier this month, the Houthi group claimed an attack on a Saudi-linked tanker in the Red Sea.
At least six people were reportedly killed and 10 injured in that earlier attack.
Yemen’s coast guard said a second missile struck rescuers evacuating the vessel, killing four crew members initially.
- Who
- A tanker crew and an unidentified attacker or attackers were involved; the Houthi group was separately linked by its own claim to an earlier attack.
- What
- A tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile; the report also describes an earlier deadly attack on a Saudi-linked tanker.
- When
- The current incident’s date is not specified; the earlier attack occurred earlier this month, and the report references February 28.
- Where
- Off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea; the earlier incident also occurred in the Red Sea.
- Why
- The cause and source of the projectile were not identified. The Houthi group claimed the earlier attack.
- Current incident
- A tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile.
- Location
- Off the Saudi coast in the Red Sea.
- Source
- A UK maritime agency reported the incident.
- Earlier attack casualties
- At least six people were reportedly killed and 10 injured.
- Initial crew deaths
- Four crew members were killed initially: three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian.
- Second strike
- Yemen’s coast guard said a second missile targeted rescuers evacuating people from the vessel.
- Reported context
- The earlier attack was described as the Houthi group’s first deadly vessel attack since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.