Reports from maritime and security sources indicate that at least one drone struck a floating LNG storage vessel at the Damietta port on Wednesday evening, sparking a fire. Egyptian security sources cited by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath denied an external attack, attributing the blast to an engine-room fire on an aging ship. The Al-Banna Brigades later claimed responsibility, according to unverified reports. No official confirmation has been issued.
Reports from multiple maritime and security sources indicate that at least one unmanned aerial vehicle struck a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification vessel at the Damietta port on Egypt's Mediterranean coast on Wednesday evening, causing a fire. The vessel, initially reported as U.S.-owned under the Marshall Islands flag, was later described by maritime security firm Ambrey as Greek-owned and Bermuda-flagged. No casualties have been reported.
The incident unfolded at around 18:58 Jerusalem time when reports of an explosion at the Damietta LNG terminal emerged. Inchcape Shipping Services confirmed an explosion occurred during cargo discharge, and Reuters reported that storage tanks may have been hit by drones. Egyptian security sources cited by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath subsequently denied any external attack, stating the fire originated in the engine room of an aging ship. At 21:54, the Al-Banna Brigades, an Iraqi Shiite militia, claimed responsibility for the strike, according to unverified Telegram posts.
As The Zioneer reported earlier on Thursday, Iranian sources told the New York Times that the strike was a deliberate operation designed to demonstrate Iran's ability to disrupt global shipping. The attack marks a significant expansion of the regional conflict, hitting Egypt's critical energy infrastructure for the first time in the current war.
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