Two Royal Navy warships collide off coast of Bahrain
An investigation is under way after two UK warships collided at a port in Bahrain, the Royal Navy says.
Video widely shared on social media appeared to show HMS Chiddingfold reverse into HMS Bangor off the coast in the Middle Eastern port.
No-one was hurt in the incident, the Ministry of Defence said, declining to comment on the nature of the collision while investigations continue.
The two ships are part of the UK’s long-standing presence in the Gulf.
Both are specialist minesweeper vessels, helping ensure the safe flow of trade through the waters, the Royal Navy said.
“We are aware of an incident concerning two minehunters alongside in Bahrain. There are no casualties as a result of this incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren said the cause of the collision “is still to be established”.
“We train our people to the highest standards and rigorously enforce machinery safety standards, but unfortunately incidents of this nature can still happen,” he told PA news agency.
A full and thorough investigation “is already under way,” Rear Adm Ahlgren said, “and any changes in procedure that could prevent further incidents will be rapidly implemented.”
“In the meantime, the UK will continue to play a key part in ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region.”
Footage unverified by the BBC showed what seemed to be a large hole in the fibreglass hull of HMS Bangor following the crash.
It is not the first time HMS Chiddingfold has been involved in such an incident. In 2021, also off the coast of Bahrain, it struck HMS Penzance, a ship of the same class as HMS Bangor.
HMS Bangor is due to be decommissioned next year.
