Possible Projectile Fired Near Vessel Southwest of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
The splash and loud bang indicate a possible projectile impact near the vessel. The location places it in a busy shipping lane in the Red Sea.
MIDDLE EAST — On August 31, 2025, UKMTO received a report of an incident 40NM southwest of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
A ship's master (captain) reported witnessing a splash in close proximity to their vessel from an unknown projectile and heard a loud bang. All crew are safe and the vessel continues on its voyage. Authorities are investigating.
Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO. The incident underscores ongoing maritime security risks in the region. No claims of responsibility have emerged. Monitoring organizations continue to track developments.
Acronym Index
NM: Nautical Miles
UKMTO: United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations
UTC: Coordinated Universal Time