Damietta: Egypt confirmed Thursday that a drone caused a fire aboard two vessels at Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast, a day after the blaze was brought under control. 'After the fire that affected two vessels at Damietta Port on July 29, 2026, was brought under control, preliminary investigations by the relevant authorities found that the incident was caused by a drone,' the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement. It said no party had claimed responsibility for the incident. The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take the measures necessary 'to protect Egypt's interests and national security,' the statement added.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Damietta Port Authority said later that vessel traffic, cargo operations, and maritime services were continuing without interruption, a day after two vessels were targeted at the port. 'Various terminals and berths continue to receive and dispatch vessels regularly, while the "loading, unloading, and handling of all types of cargo are proceeding at the designated operational rates,' the state-run Damietta Port Authority said in a statement.

The confirmation came a day after an explosion struck a US-owned and operated, Marshall Islands-flagged floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility at Egypt's Damietta Port, according to maritime risk firm Ambrey. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump vowed a 'very hard' response after a drone struck a US-owned LNG tanker in Egypt.