International Maritime Organization: 68 maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz over six months

- Resulted in the deaths of 20 sailors and workers, and injured 35 people

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed that numerous commercial vessels have been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing six-month conflict in this vital waterway for global oil and gas exports.

The organization noted that 68 maritime incidents were recorded in the Gulf and adjacent waters during the conflict period, at a rate of approximately one incident every 2.6 days.

These incidents resulted in the deaths of at least 20 sailors or port workers, injured 35 people, and left one person missing, according to data from the UN agency specialized in maritime affairs.

Oil tankers accounted for about 50 percent of the total damaged vessels, while container ships represented 20 percent, and bulk carriers made up 15 percent of the recorded incidents.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) classified 47 incidents as direct attacks, while the data showed variations in the incident rate across different stages of the conflict.

Ships flying the Liberian flag were at the forefront of the most affected vessels, linked to 13 incidents, followed by ships registered in Panama and the Marshall Islands with 10 incidents each, while four incidents involved ships flying the Iranian flag, according to the Associated Press.