A merchant vessel linked to Israel has been damaged in a drone attack off India's west coast

NEW DELHI -

A drone hit an Israeli-affiliated merchant vessel off the coast of India in the Arabian Sea on Saturday, a British maritime security firm said, damaging the vessel but causing no casualties.

The incident on the Liberian-flagged chemical product tanker occurred 120 miles (200-kilometres) southwest of the Indian port of Veraval, said Ambrey. It gave no further details about the vessel's Israeli links.

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Ambrey said the drone attack struck the stern and caused a fire onboard that was later extinguished without any casualties among the crew. The firm said the vessel suffered some structural damage and some water was taken onboard.

"The vessel was Israel-affiliated. She had last called in Saudi Arabia and was destined for India at the time," Ambrey said.

The Indian Navy responded after the shipping company requested assistance, a naval official said.

"Indian Navy had dispatched an aircraft, which arrived overhead the MV (merchant vessel)," a statement said. "Safety of the crew and ship was ascertained. A warship has also been dispatched to provide any assistance as required."

Major global shipping firms have rerouted their vessels after attacks in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. Many vessels take a longer and costlier route around the southern tip of Africa.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack.