Iraq explosives experts working to defuse mine on oil tanker
by: Andrew Birkle
Posted: Jan 1, 2021 / 11:16 AM EST
BAGHDAD (AP) Iraqi explosives experts were working to defuse a large mine discovered on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf and evacuate its crew, authorities said Friday.
The statement came a day after two private security firms said sailors feared they had found a limpet mine on the MT Pola, a Liberian-flagged tanker in the waters off the Iraqi port of Basra. A limpet mine is a type of naval mine that attaches to the side of a ship, usually by a diver-member of special forces. It later explodes, and can significantly damage a vessel.
The Iraqi statement said the mine had been attached to a tanker rented from Iraqs Oil Marketing Company SOMO that was refueling another vessel. Iraqs naval forces were making a great effort to accomplish the mission safely, said Iraqs Security Media Cell, which is affiliated with the countrys security forces.
It was the first official Iraqi confirmation that a mine was discovered on an Iraqi tanker transferring fuel in the Persian Gulf to another vessel. It did not identify either vessels or provide more details.
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https://www.wlns.com/news/international/iraq-explosives-experts-working-to-defuse-mine-on-oil-tanker/