All Croatian Seafarers Alive and Well After Drone Attack on Tanker in Egypt

Ten Croatian nationals, crew members of a tanker hit by a drone in Egypt's Damietta port on Wednesday, are alive and well, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MVEP) confirmed on Friday. The news, which brings relief after the incident, was reported by Croatian media outlets N1, Novi list, and Net.hr.

Embassy in Cairo in Contact with Crew

According to an MVEP statement dated July 31, 2026, the diplomatic mission in Egypt responded swiftly and established communication. "The competent Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Cairo has made contact with one of the Croatian crew members, who confirmed that all crew members are alive, feeling well, and that there are no injuries," the official statement reads. The Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure also confirmed that there were exactly ten Croatian nationals on board.

Attack Details: Drone Hits US-Owned Tanker

The incident occurred on Wednesday when an unmanned aerial vehicle struck the Energos Winter, a specialized tanker serving as a floating storage and regasification unit for liquefied natural gas (FSRU). As reported by British maritime security firm Ambrey and relayed by Reuters, the impact sparked a fire that subsequently spread to a nearby vessel, the Gaslog Salem. The entire crew was evacuated, and the fire was quickly brought under control.

Ownership and Geopolitical Context

The stricken vessel is owned by the American company Energos Infrastructure, while technical, safety, and commercial management is handled by the US firm Wilhelmsen Ship Management. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident occurred on the same day that the United States and Saudi Arabia, for the first time acting jointly, conducted strikes on pro-Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq, suggesting a possible escalation of tensions in the region.