Two Royal Navy warships collide in harbour off coast of Bahrain
An investigation has been launched into a collision between two Royal Navy warships off the coast of Bahrain.
Footage shared online, which has not been verified by i, shows HMS Chiddingfold reversing into HMS Bangor.
No-one was hurt as a result of the collision but âsome damageâ was sustained to the vessels, the Royal Navy said.
The two minehunters had been based in the Middle East to ensure the safe flow of trade through the waters â following attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea.
Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren said the cause of the collision has âyet to be establishedâ, adding: âWe train our people to the highest standards and rigorously enforce machinery safety standards, but unfortunately incidents of this nature can still happen.
He also told how a âfull and thorough investigation is already under wayâ and âany changes in procedure that could prevent further incidents will be rapidly implementedâ.
Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren added âin the meantime the UK will continue to play a key part in ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the regionâ.
Footage appeared to show a large hole in fibreglass hull of HMS Bangor after the crash.
HMS Chiddingfold also struck HMS Penzance, a ship of the same class as HMS Bangor, off the coast of Bahrain in 2021.
UK and US forces are working together to ensure the safety of vessels in the region, after they were forced away from the Suez Canal, because of attacks by the rebels.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
