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Oil Tanker on Fire Off Dubai Port after Collision | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (AP) – A container ship collided with an oil tanker Tuesday and set it on fire in a shipping channel off the coast of Dubai, the city’s port operator said.

No casualties were reported, and two crew members were rescued from the water, said DP World spokeswoman Sarah Lockie. It was not clear which ship the rescued crew were from.

Authorities have been alerted about the fire, which was still burning early Tuesday afternoon.

The collision happened in a shipping channel five miles from Jebel Ali Port, she said.

Clouds of smoke could be seen rising from the area. Lockie said crews were trying to contain the blaze and determine how to clear the channel.

The port is on the southwestern end of the city, in the direction of Abu Dhabi. It is the bigger of two major ports in Dubai. It was unclear if the tanker fire would disrupt shipping in the port.

Lockie said the container vessel is a medium-sized “feeder ship.” She did not have details on the tanker.