Damietta Port Fire Sparks Drone Strike Fears Amid Denials

A fire broke out on two vessels at Egypt's Damietta Port on Wednesday, prompting reports of a drone strike. However, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources denied these claims, stating that no injuries or fatalities were reported and that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the blaze.

The ministry said the fire was brought under control and did not affect port operations or energy infrastructure. The incident involved a US-owned and operated floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility at Damietta, which is flagged by the Marshall Islands.

Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, reported that the LNG storage facility had been struck by at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. Shipping agent Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) also reported an explosion during LNG cargo discharge operations, prompting the vessels involved to be moved outside the port as a precaution.