THIS is the terrifying moment two oil tankers erupt into flames while stationed in Iraqi waters as crews scramble to safety.
Horrifying footage shows thick clouds of black smoke billowing high into the sky above ships carrying Iraqi fuel oil.
Beneath them, a fierce inferno rages as the ships’ precious cargo goes up in flames.
According to reports, one crew member was killed when the tankers came under attack from an unknown enemy on Wednesday, prompting an urgent response from Iraqi authorities.
According to Farhan al-Fartousi, Iraq‘s director general of the General Company for Ports, the incident occurred while the ships were operating within Iraqi territorial waters.
“Two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel oil were subjected to unidentified attacks inside territorial waters, causing them to catch fire,” said al-Fartousi.
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Al-Fartousi later claimed the tankers were targeted by Iranian boats laden with explosives.
Iraqi officials moved quickly to evacuate the crews from both ships as the flames continued to rage.
A further 25 people were safely evacuated from the vessels as emergency teams worked to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Authorities are now working to conclusively determine who was responsible for the strikes.
The incident comes naval drones were used in at least two attacks on oil tankers since war erupted between the US, Israel and Iran.
According to maritime experts, the use of such tactics represents a dangerous new threat to vessels passing through the vital shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf.