Drone Attack Rocks Egypt's LNG Hub at Damietta Amid Regional Tensions

A drone attack on an LNG vessel at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta has set off alarm bells in the region. The US-owned liquefied natural gas vessel, Energos Winter, was struck by a drone on its starboard side at approximately 3:20 pm CET on Wednesday.

The fire caused by the attack spread to a nearby LNG tanker, Gaslog Salem, before being brought under control. No injuries were reported in the incident, but both vessels were subsequently moved offshore for assessment.

Iranian state television had identified Damietta as a possible target for 'retaliation against Ukrainian interests' two days earlier, following a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea over the weekend. The region is experiencing one of its most volatile periods since the war began, with multiple incidents reported on Wednesday.

Egypt's cabinet confirmed that preliminary investigations found the incident was caused by a drone, making it the first official confirmation of the attack's nature. No side has claimed responsibility at this time.