Photo credit: The Star
Effects of the Mideast conflict are now reverberating in Toronto after a shipment of rice meant for the city’s Daily Bread Food Bank was struck on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran, the food bank’s CEO says.
CBC News reports that, according to the CEO, Neil Hetherington, “All of the details are still being finalized – but what we know is one of the ships that was carrying about six of our containers, and each container having about 40,000 pounds of rice, was struck by one of the Iranian drones.
“So we know the ship is damaged, we know it’s not sunk. We don’t know whether or not our individual container was damaged, but we know this would be a significant delay to receive those six containers.”
Thirteen vessels have been attacked in the strait since the US and Israel began their war on Iran on February 28, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operation Centre (UKMTO). At least seven crew members have been killed over the time period.
The UKMTO’s website lists an attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, where a cargo vessel was hit by an “unknown projectile” that caused fire on board. The vessel requested assistance, and crew members were evacuated, the agency says, with a “skeleton crew” remaining on board.
It has yet to be confirmed that this vessel was carrying the Daily Bread’s shipment.
The CEO says it’s too soon to say just how long the shipment will be delayed, though he expects an update in the next week or so. It will depend on factors like repairs and if the ship needs to be dry-docked and unloaded.
“Our hope is that it resolves quickly,” he said. “Obviously, we’re thinking about the individual crew members of the ship and our promise to the City of Toronto that Daily Bread will continue to be there for them.”
