Explosion reported off tanker near Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says

LONDON: A tanker at anchor off Kuwait ​reported seeing a large explosion ‌on its port side and was taking on water, the United Kingdom ​Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The master ​observed a small craft leaving ⁠the area following the explosion, ​which occurred 30 nautical miles (56 km) ​southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer port in the Gulf, UKMTO said.

“There is ​oil in the water coming ​from a cargo tank which could have some ‌environmental ⁠impact, the vessel has taken on water, there are no fires reported and the crew are ​safe,” it ​said ⁠in an advisory note.

Kuwait’s interior ministry said in ​a later statement that the ​incident ⁠occurred outside the country’s territorial waters, at least 60 km (37 miles) ⁠from ​Mubarak Al Kabeer ​port.