A drone attack at the United Arab Emirates’ key oil trading hub of Fujairah triggered a large fire, authorities said on Monday, with no injuries reported.
“Civil Defense teams in the Emirate immediately responded to the incident and are continuing their efforts to control it,” Fujairah Media Office said on social media, according to a Google translation.
Oil loading operations at the major oil bunkering hub had been suspended as a result of the drone attack, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed sources. CNBC has contacted the UAE’s ADNOC and is awaiting a response.
The attack comes after a separate drone strike and fire at Fujairah on Saturday, underlining the vulnerability of the UAE’s only export route that bypasses the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping traffic through one of the world’s most important energy choke points has virtually ground to a halt since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran has retaliated by targeting ships trying to pass through the maritime corridor, with several incidents reported in recent days.
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Source: CNBC