Britain has apologised to Spain after a Royal Navy ship shot at a buoy bearing the colours of the Spanish flag during a military exercise off Gibraltar.

Spain had summoned the British ambassador after the incident on Thursday. The ambassador said the incident was a misunderstanding because the buoy used as a target was not carrying the Spanish flag but its colours, yellow and red. The Spanish ministry said the ambassador had offered his apologies for the ship's lack of sensitivity.
 

Gibraltar has long fuelled tensions between Spain and Britain. Spain gave up sovereignty over Gibraltar in a treaty in 1713, nine years after it was captured by British and Dutch naval forces. Madrid argues it should be returned to Spanish sovereignty. Britain says it will not surrender the territory against the wishes of its inhabitants.

The border between Spain and Gibraltar (Photo: Wikimedia)