TOKYO, June 16 (HS/RIA Novosti) - One of the 38 Japanese vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf has sustained damage, Japanese Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko said on Tuesday.
On the morning of June 13, damage to the hull was detected on one of the vessels related to Japan. No crew members were injured, and the vessel can sail under its own power. There are no Japanese citizens among the crew, the minister said.
The cause, nature, and extent of the damage are under investigation, he added.
The remaining 37 Japan-linked vessels were undamaged. At the start of the conflict around Iran, more than 40 Japanese vessels remained in the Persian Gulf due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Several vessels, including tankers, have since left the gulf. Currently, 38 Japan-linked vessels remain in the area.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
