Qatar says missile struck tanker in its waters

DOHA: Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters. "Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Gulf state's defence ministry said in a statement. Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the defence ministry added.

QatarEnergy said in a statement the Aqua 1, a fuel oil tanker, had been "the subject of a missile attack in the northern territorial waters of the State of Qatar in the early morning hours of Wednesday". It confirmed no crew members had been injured and there was "no impact on the environment as a result of this incident". According to the British marine security agency UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred 17 nautical miles north of Doha. The agency later said "the vessel was struck by two projectiles" north of Ras Laffan, the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub. "One projectile caused a fire, which was extinguished, and another "remains unexploded within the vessel's engine room", UKMTO said. — AFP