Seemorerocks: Massive explosions reported in UAE's Port of Fujiarah

Monday 13 May 2019

Massive explosions reported in UAE's Port of Fujiarah

Two competing narratives on explosions at or near Fujairah port in the UAE

Last night as I was retiring this came across my Facebook feed.

The origin of the report of massive explosions in the UAE's port of Fujiarah was the Lebanese-based, pro-Iran al-Fedayeen.

This is their report:

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=6868&cat_id=2&fbclid=IwAR2rjqG4B-yHkOpwdYUrt-purRLuS7XIfggfVoe3IMlZcMyW0bDnl1fVMJM

The story was carried by Russian Sputnik news.

Lebanon-Based Media Claims Blasts Rock Fujairah Port, UAE Officials Deny Reports

Sputnik,

12 May, 2019

Several heavy explosions occurred early on Sunday in the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, a number of media reports say. The reports, citing eyewitnesses, further suggested that American and French warplanes have been seen flying over the port at the time of the incident.

According to the Emirati Foreign Ministry, four merchant vessels had been targeted by "acts of sabotage" in Gulf waters off its coast.

"Four commercial, civilian trading vessels of various nationalities this morning suffered acts of sabotage off the UAE's eastern coast," the statement reads.

The government of Fujairah denied on Sunday media reports about several heavy explosions taking place at the emirate's port, insisting that the port is functioning as usual.

"The press service of the Fujairah government denied media reports about powerful explosions in the emirate's port earlier this day and confirmed that ship traffic is as usual," the state-run WAM news agency reports.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen broadcaster said, citing local media that several heavy explosions occurred in the port of Fujairah.

The blasts were heard between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time (00:00 — 03:00 GMT), the broadcaster reported, adding that from seven to 10 oil tankers were in flames. The broadcaster continued by saying that the real cause of the incident has still been unknown.

Other reports, citing eyewitnesses, suggested that American and French warplanes have been seen flying over the port at the time of the incident.

Currently, there's no information on possible casualties, while the authorities haven't commented on the incident yet.

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The port of Fujairah is the only multi-purpose port on the Eastern seaside of the country and is connected to all other emirates within 300 km. The port stands some 70 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz, thus becoming increasingly important amid Iran's threat to close the strait

In July 2012, the UAE began utilising the Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline from the Habshan fields in Abu Dhabi to the Fujairah, effectively bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Currently, the UAE is building the world's largest crude oil storage facility in Fujairah, capable of storing up to 14 million barrels of oil.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

As of last night the Emirates authorities were denying the story and saying the port was operating normally.

A few hours later they were admitting that four commercial ships had been subjected to sabotage outside the port in the Persian Gulf with a strong implication that Iran was somehow to blame whereas the original reports were of western jets flying over just before the explosions.

Despite that , there were "no injuries or fatalities on board the vessels and that there had been no spillage of harmful chemicals or fuel".

Four commercial ships subjected to sabotage operations near UAE territorial waters, no fatalities or injuries reported

ABU DHABI, 12th May, 2019 (WAM) -- Four commercial ships were subjected to sabotage operations today, 12th May, near UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of Fujairah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, has announced.

The Ministry said that the concerned authorities have taken all necessary measures, and are investigating the incident in cooperation with local and international bodies.

It said that there had been no injuries or fatalities on board the vessels and that there had been no spillage of harmful chemicals or fuel.

The MOFAIC statement said that the carrying out acts of sabotage on commercial and civilian vessels and threatening the safety and lives of those on board is a serious development. It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to prevent such actions by parties attempting to undermine maritime traffic safety and security.

The Ministry also described as ‘baseless and unfounded’ rumours earlier today, 12th May, of incidents taking place within the Port of Fujairah, saying that operations within the port were under way as normal, without any interruption.

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302762084?fbclid=IwAR3upYMlQQY_QMRSQPOuXuokks_x5oXrDHoGm0ngMlXQl97JbBjDIpPZX9Y

This is how Iran's Press TV has reported it-