Two Royal Navy warships have suffered damage after colliding with each other in Bahrain.

Footage of the incident, which happened in Bahrain Harbour on Thursday, shows HMS Chiddingfold smashing into HMS Bangor in what appeared to be a bungled attempt to moor alongside it.

The Royal Navy is investigating the collision.

Rear-Adml Edward Ahlgren OBE, Commander Operations, said he was “aware” of the incident and “would like to stress that thankfully nobody was hurt in the collision, but some damage was sustained”.

“Why this happened is still to be established,” he added. “We train our people to the highest standards and rigorously enforce machinery safety standards, but unfortunately incidents of this nature can still happen.

“I assure you that a full and thorough investigation is already under way and any changes in procedure that could prevent further incidents will be rapidly implemented. In the meantime, the UK will continue to play a key part in ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region.”

The incident comes after Britain last week joined US-led strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen in retaliation for the group’s attacks on global shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said that the US-British air strikes on Houthi rebels were “limited, necessary and proportionate” but that they have sent a clear message to the group’s leadership to cease their assault on commercial ships.

The strikes came from air, sea and submarine forces stationed in the region as part of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, and hit Houthi-controlled sites including weapons storage and drone-launching facilities.