Maritime authorities investigate reported attack on UK-registered cargo ship near Yemen

Houthi fighters at the controls of a machine gun mounted on a vehicle during a protest in Sana’a against the US-UK actions. Photograph: Yahya Arhab/EPA

The UK is investigating reports that a cargo ship has come under attack off the coast of Yemen, after an apparent explosion close to the vessel on Sunday.

Following the reports of damage to the vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said: “Military authorities are investigating. UKMTO has received a report of an incident 35 NM [nautical miles] south of Al Mukha, Yemen.