MSC says SARISKA was hit by two munitions leaving Umm Qasr

BASRA, Iraq — MSC said its SARISKA container ship was struck by two munitions as it was leaving Umm Qasr Port in southern Iraq. The company said all crew members were in good health and no injuries were reported. MSC also said it is a neutral shipping company and has no ties to the United States or Israel. The incident comes as Iraqi maritime traffic and the Basra Gulf route are being closely watched for security reasons. The Iraqi High Maritime Authority said early in the day that it had placed its teams and support units on alert and begun investigating the circumstances of the incident in Iraqi waters. Its review is focused on what hit the vessel, how the event unfolded during departure from the port and any impact on navigation safety. A security source cited by Shafaq News said the Panama-flagged vessel had earlier come under a drone attack while in Iraqi territorial waters. The source said 20 sailors were evacuated to the search and rescue center at Fao Port, and that there were no deaths or injuries.