File photo: EU NAVFOR
BOSASSO, Somalia, June 27 (Reuters) – A huge explosion was heard from a ship off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region late on Monday and flames were seen rising from what might be a foreign vessel, an official in a nearby port said.
“We heard (a) huge explosion and (saw) flame rising from the ship. I believe that the ship is foreign,” Ali Shire, mayor of Puntland’s port town of Alula, a pirate haven, told Reuters on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear whether the explosion was caused by an accident onboard the vessel or was triggered by pirate attackers. It was also not clear whether the vessel was still afloat or had sunk.
Jacqueline Sherriff, spokeswoman for the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), told Reuters in an email they were aware of reports about a possible explosion on a vessel and were working with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) to confirm details.
“I can confirm that all EU NAVFOR warships and crews are safe and we have not been asked to assist with an incident.”
.@EUNAVFOR aware of reports about possible fire aboard an EU warship off coast of Somalia. We can confirm no incident & all our crews safe. pic.twitter.com/cgb55SZ1sp
— EUNAVFOR (@EUNAVFOR) June 26, 2017
Abdi Jama, a resident of Muranyo village near Alula, told Reuters the vessel had been in the area for two days before the explosion occurred and that he had seen a helicopter land on and take off from the vessel some time before the blast.
He said the explosion turned the vessel “into flames and huge clouds of smoke”.
Somali pirates often prowl waters around Alula. In March, they hijacked an oil tanker, Aris 13, with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, the first time a commercial ship was commandeered in the region since 2012.
Several foreign navies, including from the European Union, China and others, often operate in the area as part of anti-piracy missions. (Reporting by Abdiqani Hassan; additional reporting and writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Paul Tait and Richard Balmforth)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,853 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
A 37-year-old crew member was saved after spending three harrowing days adrift at sea following alleged abuse aboard a fishing vessel. Afif Efendy, a crew member of the fishing vessel...
British oil and gas major Shell on Tuesday settled a London lawsuit it brought against environmental group Greenpeace after activists boarded a Shell oil production vessel last year.
Satellite imagery show that Russian naval ships have left Moscow's base at Tartous on Syria's coast and some have dropped anchor offshore following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,853 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
