A cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire on board and forcing the crew to abandon ship while emergency assistance was requested, maritime authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British military-run monitoring centre that tracks threats to commercial shipping across key waterways in the Middle East.

According to reports cited by Reuters, the maritime security body said the vessel was struck by a projectile while navigating waters just north of Oman, within the narrow but strategically vital shipping corridor.

In an advisory issued to maritime operators, UKMTO confirmed that the strike sparked a fire aboard the vessel, creating a dangerous situation for those on board.

“The vessel had been hit just north of Oman in the strait,” the agency said, adding that “the crew was evacuating the ship” as the emergency unfolded.

The Strait of Hormuz is regarded as one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The narrow waterway links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as a primary route for global energy shipments.

Industry analysts estimate that roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass through the corridor daily, making any disruption in the area a significant concern for international trade and global energy markets.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Iran has previously been accused of targeting vessels in and around the strait during periods of heightened regional tensions, actions that have at times disrupted traffic through the critical energy transit route.