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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch & Jonathan Coles

First picture of British army veteran killed aboard oil tanker in 'drone attack'

A British army veteran killed in a suspected drone attack aboard an oil tanker off the coast of Oman has been named and pictured.

Adrian Underwood died alongside an as yet unidentified Romanian national in the strike, which has been blamed on Iran.

The attack - denied by the regime - has been described as "unlawful and callous" by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the atrocity - which happened on-board Liberian-flagged M/T Mercer Street - was "outrageous".

Fijian-born Mr Underwood was working in a security role for maritime firm Ambrey, based in Hereford, when he was killed.

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The Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned Liberian-flagged tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime (via REUTERS)

A JustGiving page has been set up following his tragic death, which has already raised more than £4,700.

It said: "In memory of Adrian Underwood, who sadly died when the ship that he was protecting was attacked.

"A humble gentleman, funny and loved by so many."

The page added that Mr Underwood was survived by his wife and "young son".

Several people who donated left tributes, describing the victim as a "true gentleman".

The strike on the vessel last Thursday has been linked to tensions between Iran and Israel, which have seen at least three other Israeli-linked ships targeted since February.

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The Mercer Street is managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group.

It is thought that an explosive-laden "suicide drone" was used to carry out the attack.

And the Mirror reported on Monday that commanders are now drawing up plans for a British special forces strike mission against its operators.

Israeli intelligence has pinpointed the area where the drone team is believed to have launched the drone.

British special forces, including SAS specialists and Special Boat Service commandos are already in the region and have been reinforced for a strike mission.

It is believed the "kill or capture" manhunt could involve several dozen members of the nation's most elite special forces operators and members of the Paras.

Mr Johnson previously called on Iran to "respect freedoms of navigation".

When asked by reporters whether Britain would consider military action as part of its response to the attack on the tanker, he said: "I think that Iran should face up to the consequences of what they have done, accept the attribution that the Foreign Secretary has made.

"This was clearly an unacceptable and outrageous attack on commercial shipping, a UK national died.

"It is absolutely vital that Iran and every other country respects the freedoms of navigation around the world, and the UK will continue to insist on that."

The 28,400-tonne Mercer Street was sailing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates with no cargo onboard when she was targeted.

An American warship escorted her to safety.

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