All the Croats on the hit tanker in Egypt are fine

Ten Croatian nationals aboard the damaged gas storage vessel off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast are all accounted for and unharmed, according to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The incident occurred on Wednesday when a drone struck the specialized floating storage and regasification unit Energos Winter, triggering a fire that spread to another nearby ship, Gaslog Salem. The attack took place amid heightened tensions in the region, with the United States and Saudi Arabia conducting joint strikes against pro-Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq earlier that day. The Energos Winter is owned by the American company Energos Infrastructure and operated under the technical, safety, and commercial management of the American firm Wilhelmsen Ship Management. The drone strike ignited a blaze that quickly engulfed the vessel, prompting emergency response teams to evacuate the crew and contain the fire. As of Friday, no one has yet taken responsibility for the attack, according to reports from the British maritime security firm Ambrey. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirmed that ten Croatian citizens were among the crew members onboard the damaged vessel. A consular official from the Embassy of Croatia in Cairo contacted one of the Croatian nationals, who reported that all crew members were alive and uninjured. The ministry emphasized that there were no casualties among the Croatian nationals, though the broader impact of the attack on the crew remains unclear. The Gaslog Salem, which was hit by the spreading fire, is a French-owned vessel managed by the French company GasLog. The incident highlights the growing risks posed by unmanned aerial systems in international waters, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Mediterranean. While the exact origin of the drone remains unknown, authorities have begun investigating whether the attack was a targeted act or an accidental collision. The timing of the attack coincided with a major military operation involving U.S. and Saudi forces targeting Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq. This marked the first time the two nations publicly coordinated a joint strike against a common adversary. However, the connection between the drone strike and the military campaign remains speculative. Officials have not yet linked the two events, though some analysts suggest the possibility of a broader pattern of attacks aimed at disrupting energy infrastructure in the region. Emergency services in Egypt’s Damietta port authority swiftly responded to the incident, deploying firefighting equipment and coordinating with international partners to manage the situation. The port, located along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, serves as a key hub for oil and gas transportation. The damage caused by the fire has raised concerns about the potential disruption of supply chains and the safety of other vessels operating in the area. As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying the perpetrator of the drone strike and assessing the long-term implications for maritime security. The involvement of foreign-owned vessels underscores the complex interplay of national interests and international law in incidents occurring beyond territorial waters. For now, the priority is ensuring the safety of all personnel and preventing further escalation of the situation.