Latest Omani officials from the country's Royal Police that investigates the blast, said a lack of balance in the volume of ship's natural gases had caused the blast. They have also mentioned an Earth Quake of 3,4 at Richter scale which took place in the area, and suggest that this could have caused a rough wave.
Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd said earlier today, Thursday, at a press conference in Tokyo, that the incident occurred N 26 degrees and 26.5 minutes E 56 degrees 14 minutes.
An official of the marine transporter said the tanker's ceiling and wall partially came off, suggesting that the ship was hit from the outside.
Given that the ship was not flooded, the company denied the possibility that the tanker was damaged by waves generated by an earthquake.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd also said it has hired a military attack specialist to help investigate the cause of damage.
Initial report from Fujairah PM last night (CET) describes the following situation:
• All press banned from port.
• M.Star placed prox 20 km from port at holding area.
• Life boat "blown off" holding position on ship side and lost during incident.
• 5 doors blown off in aft stb section of M Star.
• Windows on main deck stb side damaged due to reported "blast" and 1 crew member suffered light splinter damage due to broken glass.
Please see NHC illustrative presentation of facts based on media reports so far and released picture.