19 sailors killed as Iranian warship ‘accidentally’ hit by missile

An Iranian warship was accidentally hit by a missile during exercises in the Gulf of Oman, killing 19 sailors, amid tensions with the US in the waterway. The friendly fire incident involving the Konarak vessel occurred on Sunday afternoon near Bandar-e Jask, off the southern coast of the Islamic republic. One report said the vessel had sunk after being hit by a missile fired by another Iranian warship.

The vessel was hit after moving a practice target to its destination and not creating enough distance between itself and the target. Iran’s army confirmed the death of 19 sailors, saying in a statement that “investigations” were continuing regarding the cause of the incident.

Source: Samaa