Two ships used for the processing and storage of gas have caught fire in the Egyptian port of Damietta on the Mediterranean coast, without causing injuries, according to the oil ministry.

“The situation was handled immediately in accordance with emergency and rapid response plans,” the ministry said on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, Egypt confirmed that a drone had caused the fire on board the two vessels.

“After the fire that affected two vessels at Damietta Port on July 29, 2026, was brought under control, preliminary investigations by the relevant authorities found that the incident was caused by a drone,” the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement.

It added that no party had claimed responsibility for the incident.

The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take the measures necessary “to protect Egypt’s interests and national security,” the statement said.

British maritime security company Ambrey reported on Wednesday that an explosion struck a US-owned and operated, Marshall Islands-flagged floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility at Damietta port.

Crew members were evacuated and the fire was brought under control, the report said.

Maritime shipping service Inchcape, in a separate statement on Wednesday, also said a blast had occurred at the LNG terminal. Port operations were expected to resume overnight at other berths and terminals, it added.

The incident came hours before the US military resumed strikes on Iran after a five-night pause.      Credit: aljazeera.com