Two supertankers damaged after striking sea mines in Strait of Hormuz

The logo of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)

Tehran, IRNA – Two supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude oil were disabled by sea mines after attempting to cross an unauthorized route south of the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced

In a statement issued late Friday, the IRGC said the two vessels struck naval mines earlier in the day, triggering explosions and intense fires in their engine rooms

The damage disabled both ships, leaving them immobilized at the scene, the statement said

The vessels were subsequently abandoned off the southern coast of the Strait of Hormuz, with their crews leaving the ships, according to the IRGC statement