Ships collide off the coast of Dubai

Dubai: Two ships collided off the coast of Dubai late on Wednesday.

"The collusion did not cause any injuries, just moderate damage to the front side of both the ships. We are still investigating the reason for the collusion," said Colonel Mohammad Al Za'abi, Director of Dubai Police Ports centre.

Rageeb 1, an inbound shipment with dates coming from Al Basra Port in Iraq, and Aziz, an outbound ship with iron on its way to Bandar Abbas Port in Iran, collided at the channel between Al Hamriya beach and Palm Deira leading to Al Hamriya Port.

The Police Ports Centre sent an emergency boat on receiving a report of the collusion. According to Colonel Mohammad Al Za'abi, Director of Dubai Police Ports centre, a team was formed to rescue the 23 members on Rageeb 1 and 10 on Aziz.

Colonel Al Za'abi urged operators to be extra cautious while passing through shipping channels towards ports.

This is the second ship collision in over a week. A container ship collided with an oil tanker off Jebel Ali Port, injuring two workers.