Container carrier sinks in Strait of Hormuz after mine explosion, IRGC Navy says

A container carrier sank in the southern waters of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday morning after striking a naval mine, according to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The IRGC Navy's public relations office said the vessel hit the mine while attempting to cross the strait through an unauthorized and high-risk route.

The explosion triggered a severe fire on board, and the ship sank as a result of the blaze, the IRGC Navy said. It did not provide details on the number of crew members, casualties, or the vessel's flag and ownership.

The IRGC Navy cautioned local vessels and fishermen in the area to avoid colliding with containers floating on the water's surface while transiting the strait. The warning indicates that debris from the sunken carrier remained a navigation hazard in the area following the incident.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. The IRGC Navy maintains a presence in the area and has previously reported incidents involving vessels in the strait.

No further information was immediately available on the circumstances that led the carrier to take the route described by the IRGC Navy, or on any investigation into the incident. According to Mehr News, the IRGC Navy said the vessel caught fire after the explosion and sank in the southern waters of the strait.