Egypt's Petroleum Ministry said Wednesday evening that a fire on a regasification vessel and a storage vessel caused the explosion at Damietta port, disputing earlier reports of a drone strike. No casualties were reported.
The Egyptian Petroleum Ministry announced Wednesday evening that a fire aboard a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification vessel and a storage vessel caused the explosion at Damietta port, denying earlier reports of a drone strike. The ministry's statement, the first official explanation, said no casualties were reported. This development comes after hours of conflicting accounts.
Initial reports of a drone strike emerged at 19:04 Jerusalem, with Israeli media and Iranian-linked channels claiming a targeted attack on a U.S.-owned gas tanker. As The Zioneer reported at 19:04, multiple versions unfolded: first a suspected drone strike, then Egyptian sources denying an attack and attributing the incident to a fire, then an engine room blaze, and finally confirmation of two ships on fire. By 19:59 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published an article detailing the conflicting accounts, and at 20:00 a bulletin confirming the Egyptian denial. The source quality evolved from unverified claims to official denial, and now the Petroleum Ministry has provided specific vessel details.
The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions. As The Zioneer reported on July 29, 2026, the drone strike on a U.S.-owned gas tanker at Damietta port represents a broadening of the Iranian-led maritime threat, with the Houthi plan to impose illegal shipping tolls. However, the Egyptian official account now rejects the attack narrative.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The initial reports of a drone strike have not been independently verified, and no group has claimed responsibility. The Egyptian government's account is the only official explanation so far.
20 developments
- DevelopingArmy Radio reports unusual drone interception near Dead Sea on Jordan border this morning
- StrongAl-Banna Brigades claim responsibility for attack on U.S. gas tanker in Damietta
- StrongIDF assesses with high probability Iraqi Shiite militia launched drones intercepted near Dead Sea, Mount Hermon
- StrongDrone strike reported on target in Shiite town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, southern Lebanon
Source and signal
- Open-source intake