Portsmouth, Oct. 8 -- A tanker was struck by multiple projectiles off the coast of Qatar on Wednesday (local time), with casualties reported, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The incident, according to the British maritime agency, took place at around "1900 UTC" on Wednesday, approximately 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal (southern side of the Persian Gulf), UKMTO said in an incident alert.

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 51NM north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar. A tanker has reported being struck by multiple projectiles," the alert said.

"Casualties have been reported. Authorities are investigating," the alert added.

The incident falls within Qatar's exclusive economic zone. Q...