A salvage operation for an oil tanker still burning after an attack by Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen last month is about to begin, the European Union’s naval mission says.
The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude, was attacked by the Houthis off the coast of Hodeidah on 21 August. Iranian-backed rebels claimed they mined and detonated charges on the ship.
The EU’s Aspides mission said on Monday that an operation involving private companies to salvage the ship was “about to begin.”
Several fires continue to burn on the vessel’s main deck.
The Sounion’s crew of 23 Filipinos and two Russians were rescued a day after it was attacked. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said two more ships were hit in attacks off the coast of Yemen on Monday. The US Centcom reported that “salvage efforts are underway” in the southern Red Sea.
The Centcom condemned such attacks by the Houthis as “reckless” and pledged to “continue to work with international partners and allies” to protect trade and mitigate environmental impacts in the region.
