The Royal Navy has announced that an investigation is underway after two British warships collided in a Bahrain port.
A video widely shared on social media showed HMS Chiddingfold reversing into HMS Bangor off the coast of a Middle Eastern port.
The Ministry of Defense said no one was injured in the incident, but declined to comment on the nature of the collision as the investigation continues.
The two ships are part of Britain’s long-standing presence in the Gulf.
The Royal Navy says both are specialist minesweepers and help ensure the safe flow of trade in our waters.
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson told the BBC: “We are aware of an incident involving two minehunters who were with us in Bahrain. There were no casualties as a result of this incident and we will not be commenting further as the investigation is ongoing. It’s inappropriate,” he told the BBC.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Edward Ahlgren said the cause of the collision was “still unknown.”
“We train our employees to the highest standards and strictly enforce machinery safety standards, but unfortunately accidents of this nature can still occur,” he told the PA news agency. Ta.
Maj. Gen. Ahlgren said a full and thorough investigation is “already underway” and that “changes in procedures that can prevent further incidents will be implemented quickly.”
“In the meantime, the UK will continue to play a key role in ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the region.”
The BBC said unverified footage showed what appeared to be a large hole in HMS Bangor’s fiberglass hull after the collision.
This is not the first time HMS Chiddingfold has been involved in such an incident. Also in 2021 off the coast of Bahrain, she collided with HMS Bangor and her classmate HMS Penzance.
HMS Bangor is due to be decommissioned next year.