The VELOS SAPPHIRE tanker was struck by munitions off Qatar, resulting in one crew member's death and a significant fire on board.
The oil products tanker VELOS SAPPHIRE, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and sailing off the coast of Qatar, faced a severe explosion and fire after being hit by two munitions. One sailor lost their life on the vessel, which is operated by the Greek company Velos Tankers, while the crew managed to extinguish the fire using their own means.
As attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf continue, the oil products tanker VELOS SAPPHIRE, sailing north of Qatar, was targeted. In the explosion that occurred on the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, one sailor lost their life.
According to a report by Reuters dated November 6, 2026, the tanker operated by Athens-based Velos Tankers was struck while sailing towards Bahrain without cargo.
A security notification published by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicated that the incident occurred at 23:20 UTC on November 4, approximately 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal in Qatar. The vessel was reported to have been targeted by two separate munitions.
Body of a Sailor Recovered After the Explosion
In a statement made by the ship operator Velos Tankers on November 6, it was confirmed that a crew member reported missing after the attack was found deceased on board the vessel.
The company expressed its deep sorrow over the sailor's death while stating that there were no injuries among the other crew members.
It was reported that the munitions that struck the port aft side of the vessel caused the explosion, which led to a fire on board.
The crew successfully intervened in the fire and managed to extinguish the flames. According to the company's statement, there was no marine pollution as a result of the incident.
Tanker Reached Bahrain Port
The VELOS SAPPHIRE, which was empty at the time of the attack, was taken to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain following the incident.
The ship operator announced that a comprehensive investigation would be initiated after the attack, while stating that the extent of the damage to the hull of the vessel has not yet been determined.
Built in 2007 and having a carrying capacity of approximately 75,000 DWT, VELOS SAPPHIRE is part of the Velos Tankers fleet based in Greece.
Attacks Have Spread Beyond the Strait of Hormuz
The attack on VELOS SAPPHIRE revealed that recent incidents targeting commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf are not limited to the Strait of Hormuz.
According to assessments by maritime security organizations, six attacks on vessels were reported in the region during the first days of November. It was noted that four of these incidents occurred within just 52 hours in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), in its assessment dated November 5, classified the security threat in the Strait of Hormuz as 'Severe,' one of the highest categories, while the threat level in other parts of the Persian Gulf was rated as 'Substantial.'
Responsibility for the Attack Not Yet Determined
The attacks in the region occurred during a period of ongoing conflicts between Iran and the United States and Israel.
Maritime security sources assessed that the attack likely resulted from a missile strike, but no confirmed investigation results have been released regarding the type of munitions that struck VELOS SAPPHIRE or the party responsible for the attack.
It was noted that the vessel had passed through the Strait of Hormuz several times before the attack, but there is no verified information linking the attack directly to these passages.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
