A tanker reported multiple explosions close to the vessel while sailing about 60 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen, near the Bab el-Mandeb area, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident was reported on October 4, 2026, as security concerns remained high along the southern Red Sea and nearby shipping routes.

UKMTO said the vessel’s Company Security Officer reported that the tanker’s crew had observed several explosions in close proximity to the ship. The crew were reported safe, and no environmental impact was reported. Authorities are investigating the incident, and no confirmed information has been released on the source of the explosions or whether the vessel was specifically targeted.

The incident occurred amid renewed fighting in Yemen and heightened maritime security risks around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While recent attacks in the region have been widely linked to the Houthis, the group had not claimed responsibility for this particular incident at the time of reporting. Yemen’s conflict has also intensified in recent days as government forces and Houthi fighters contest strategic areas near the Red Sea coast.

UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the area to transit with caution and immediately report suspicious activity or security incidents. The Bab el-Mandeb remains an important international shipping passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, making developments in the area closely watched by ship operators and seafarers transiting the region.