Multiple fires on oil tanker attacked by Houthis in Red Sea

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had detected three fires in the Red Sea on the Sounion oil tanker, owned by Greek company Delta Tankers. According to Marine Link, the tanker was carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, which is currently posing an environmental risk.

The oil tanker Sounion is currently anchored between Yemen and Eritrea. Photo: Mari Times Crime

Earlier this week, the ship was attacked by Houthi forces in Yemen while transiting the Red Sea and is currently anchored between Yemen and Eritrea. All 25 crew members were unharmed and were rescued by a French frigate.

The Sounion is the third ship operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked in the Red Sea this month, according to Marine Link. The site quoted Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree as saying in a televised speech that the Sounion “belongs to a company with ties to the Israeli enemy and is violating the decision to ban entry into the ports of occupied Palestine.”

The attack caused fires and severe damage to the engine room, leaving the ship unable to move and anchored in the waters between Eritrea and Yemen. The cause of the new fires is still unknown. Delta Tankers announced plans to tow the Sounion to a safer location for inspection and repairs.

In another development, on the same day, August 23, the Yemeni Ministry of Defense said that the country's military intercepted three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) loaded with explosives aimed at the Safer oil facility in Marib province.

The ministry said the drones were launched on the morning of August 23 from a location in Al-Jawf province, northern Yemen, and were intercepted before reaching their targets. The ministry also condemned the attack, which aimed to destroy this important civilian facility. The Houthis have not yet commented on the incident.

KHANH HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nhieu-vu-chay-tren-tau-cho-dau-bi-houthi-tan-cong-o-bien-do-post755509.html