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Fire Extinguished After Limpet Mines Hit MT LOUISE 1

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

A small craft attached two limpet mines to Panama-flagged tanker MT LOUISE 1, igniting an engine-room fire.
Indian authorities confirmed all 27 crew members were unharmed and said the government was monitoring the situation.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the fire was extinguished and the tanker proceeded to its next port.
Marisks warned that low-tech limpet-mine attacks threaten shipping security in the congested strait.

History

On 12 October 2000 al-Qaeda detonated a 550-kilogram C-4 charge from a small boat against the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole in Aden, killing 17 sailors and prompting the Navy to overhaul force-protection doctrine and create a dedicated anti-terrorism command. The recent limpet-mine strike on tanker MT LOUISE 1 echoes that low-tech threat, spurring India, the U.K.’s Maritime Trade Operations and private firms to tighten escort and surveillance measures.

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On 12 October 2000 al-Qaeda detonated a 550-kilogram C-4 charge from a small boat against the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole in Aden, killing 17 sailors and prompting the Navy to overhaul force-protection doctrine and create a dedicated anti-terrorism command. The recent limpet-mine strike on tanker MT LOUISE 1 echoes that low-tech threat, spurring India, the U.K.’s Maritime Trade Operations and private firms to tighten escort and surveillance measures.

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