An unidentified missile struck a Greek-managed oil tanker in the Persian Gulf and killed one crew member.
Athens-based shipping firm Velos Tankers confirmed the fatal strike on Friday, November 6, 2026. The unladen vessel, Velos Sapphire, was traveling to the Port of Sitra in Bahrain when the attack occurred.
An explosion and a subsequent fire rocked the ship during the early hours of Thursday morning. The fatal incident adds to a dangerous surge of maritime violence across volatile Middle Eastern oil tankers.
Rocket strikes Port Quarter triggering nighttime explosion
The sudden attack occurred at 1:15 a.m. local time on Thursday, November 5. An unidentified projectile tore into the port quarter of the moving Marshall Islands-flagged tanker.
The impact triggered an immediate explosion and a fast-spreading fire on the deck. The crew acted quickly to contain the blaze and prevent further structural damage to the hull.
Emergency teams initially reported one seafarer missing during the chaotic aftermath of the blast. Searchers later recovered the body of the deceased crew member from the damaged area.
The remaining crew members escaped the blast without sustaining any physical injuries.
Navigating to Bahrain and assessing hull damage
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued an emergency naval warning following the incident. The agency reported that two unidentified projectiles struck a merchant tanker 50 nautical miles north of Qatar.
Velos Tankers confirmed that the attack caused no oil leaks or marine pollution in the Gulf. Engineers must still fully assess the structural integrity of the ship’s hull. The captain directed the damaged vessel to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain.
The ship will undergo an official state investigation while the crew receives necessary medical assistance.
No regional military force or militant group has claimed responsibility for the fatal strike against the oil tanker. International naval coalitions continue to investigate the details of the attack to identify the perpetrators.
