EU mission launches new effort to salvage burning tanker in Red Sea

Sept. 14, 2024, 10:16 a.m.

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A new effort is underway to salvage an oil tanker ablaze in the Red Sea following attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, according to a European Union naval mission on Saturday.

The EU's Operation Aspides shared pictures from Saturday showing its ships accompanying vessels heading toward the Greek-owned oil tanker Sounion.

The mission has “been actively involved in this complex undertaking, by establishing a safe environment, which is essential for the tugboats to execute the towing operation,” the EU stated.

Advertisement A phone call to the mission went unanswered on Saturday.

The Sounion was targeted by the Houthis beginning Aug. 21. The vessel had been operated by a crew consisting of 25 Filipino and Russian nationals, along with four private security personnel, who were transported by a French destroyer to nearby Djibouti.

The Houthis subsequently planted explosives on the vessel and detonated them, raising concerns about the potential spill of 1 million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea.

The Houthis have attacked more than 80 ships with missiles and drones since the conflict in Gaza began in October. They captured one vessel and sunk two in the campaign that also resulted in the deaths of four sailors. One of the sunken vessels, the Tutor, was lost after the Houthis placed explosives on board and the crew abandoned it following an earlier attack, the rebel group later admitted.

Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their intended targets.

The rebels contend that they target ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. to pressure an end to Israel's military operation against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the targeted vessels have little to no connection to the conflict, including some destined for Iran.