Smoke rises from the Kharg. EPA
Smoke rises from the Kharg. EPA
The Iranian navy support ship burns in still from a video. Asriran.com via AP
The Iranian navy support ship burns in still from a video. Asriran.com via AP
The blaze began at about 2.25am. Asriran.com via AP
The blaze began at about 2.25am. Asriran.com via AP
The vessel, captured in a satellite image, sank near the Iranian port of Jask. Planet Labs Inc. via AP
The vessel, captured in a satellite image, sank near the Iranian port of Jask. Planet Labs Inc. via AP
The Kharg was one of the few vessels in the Iranian navy capable of resupplying its other ships at sea. AFP
The Kharg was one of the few vessels in the Iranian navy capable of resupplying its other ships at sea. AFP
It was also designed to lift heavy cargo and serve as a launch point for helicopters. Iranian army via AP
It was also designed to lift heavy cargo and serve as a launch point for helicopters. Iranian army via AP
The British-built ship became part of the Iranian naval fleet in 1984. Iranian army via AP
The British-built ship became part of the Iranian naval fleet in 1984. Iranian army via AP
A plume billows from the Kharg in Gulf of Oman. EPA
A plume billows from the Kharg in Gulf of Oman. EPA
It is not yet clear how the fire started. EPA
It is not yet clear how the fire started. EPA
The Kharg was the largest Iranian navy support ship. EPA
The Kharg was the largest Iranian navy support ship. EPA
The Kharg docked in Sudan. Reuters
The Kharg docked in Sudan. Reuters
No casualties were reported after the ship sank. AFP
No casualties were reported after the ship sank. AFP
Flames engulf the Kharg. Reuters
Flames engulf the Kharg. Reuters

MENA

Iran's largest naval ship sinks in Gulf of Oman after being engulfed in flames

The 'Kharg' caught fire in the early hours of Wednesday

Robert Tollast
Robert Tollast

June 02, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Iran's largest naval ship, the Kharg, sank on Wednesday morning after fire swept through the vessel from bow to stern.

State-affiliated media, including the Tasnim news agency, published video footage from the rescue effort.

All crew members were rescued from the 207-metre long vessel, according to reports.

Fire reportedly broke out at about 2.25am and quickly grew out of control. The ship was abandoned in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian port of Jask.

The loss of the Kharg leaves Iran without a second support ship, after damage to the MV Saviz, which was attacked in the Red Sea in March with limpet mines.

The Saviz did not sink, but was put out of action for an extended period after explosions caused its engine room to flood.

The Kharg has been described as a logistical support ship, carrying fuel and supplies for other vessels, as well as being able to carry helicopters.

Like many of Iran's large surface vessels, it was ageing and may have suffered maintenance problems.

The Kharg was bought from Britain in 1977 as a civilian vessel, before being adapted for the Iranian Navy in 1984.

Iran is forced to reverse-engineer spare parts for ships purchased from abroad because of international sanctions preventing the import of new components.

Iran's navy is also prone to training accidents.

In May last year, 19 Iranian sailors were killed when the Konarak was struck by an Iranian missile. The vessel had been towing a target ship for a missile test.

While the loss of the Konarak was accidental, the fate of the Kharg could prompt speculation that a foreign state had conducted a sabotage operation, following the attack on the Saviz.

The Saviz, which Iran claimed was a civilian vessel, was long thought to have had a military role.

"Saviz is, foremost, a floating armoury ship," Farzin Nadimi, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank, told The National at the time.

Read more: Iran showcases new ships in Gulf of Oman

Military personnel stand on the Iranian warship Makran before a drill. Iranian Army office / AFP
Military personnel stand on the Iranian warship Makran before a drill. Iranian Army office / AFP
The two-day missile drill was being held in the Gulf of Oman's southeastern waters. EPA
The two-day missile drill was being held in the Gulf of Oman's southeastern waters. EPA
Iran has stepped up its military drills in recent weeks. Iranian Army via AP
Iran has stepped up its military drills in recent weeks. Iranian Army via AP
Iranian soldiers sit in a helicopter during a drill. Iranian Army via AP
Iranian soldiers sit in a helicopter during a drill. Iranian Army via AP
The warship Makran in the Gulf of Oman. EPA
The warship Makran in the Gulf of Oman. EPA
The Makran is a logistics vessel with a helicopter pad. EPA
The Makran is a logistics vessel with a helicopter pad. EPA
Iran sometimes announces military achievements that cannot be independently verified. AFP
Iran sometimes announces military achievements that cannot be independently verified. AFP
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Homie%20Portal%20LLC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End%20of%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulla%20Al%20Kamda%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2014%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaunch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RACE CARD

6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m

8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m

10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m

Race card

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

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Muguruza's singles career in stats

WTA titles 3

Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)

Wins / losses 293 / 149

Factfile on Garbine Muguruza:

Name: Garbine Muguruza (ESP)

World ranking: 15 (will rise to 5 on Monday)

Date of birth: October 8, 1993

Place of birth: Caracas, Venezuela

Place of residence: Geneva, Switzerland

Height: 6ft (1.82m)

Career singles titles: 4

Grand Slam titles: 2 (French Open 2016, Wimbledon 2017)

Career prize money: $13,928,719

Royal Birkdale Golf Course

Location: Southport, Merseyside, England

Established: 1889

Type: Private

Total holes: 18

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

Results

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

 

When is VAR used?

• Goals

• Penalty decisions

• Direct red-card incidents

• Mistaken identity

Points tally

1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand

October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
First-round leaderbaord

-5 C Conners (Can)

-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);

-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)

Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)

Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng) 

1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)

3 R McIlroy (NI)

4 D Johnson (US)

On Women's Day
While you're here
While you're here
Iran