A Greek-owned oil tanker is ablaze and adrift in the Red Sea following a series of attacks, according to British and Greek officials. The vessel, named Sounion, was initially hit by gunfire from two small boats early Wednesday, around 77 nautical miles west of Yemen’s Hudaydah port.
Subsequently, it was struck by three unidentified projectiles, causing a fire and disabling its engine. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 25 crew members.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which Greece’s maritime minister denounced as a severe breach of international law.
The Yemen-based Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has previously targeted commercial shipping in the region, often claiming to target ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, though these claims are often disputed. Despite increased Western naval protection and strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, the attacks continue.
The Sounion, a Suezmax tanker, was transporting crude oil from Basra, Iraq, at the time of the incident. Its Greek operator, Delta Tankers, reported minor damage and stated that the crew was evaluating the situation.
Meanwhile, another vessel, the Panama-flagged SW North Wind I, reported three explosions nearby while navigating the Gulf of Aden. The crew was safe, and the vessel continued to its next destination. In June, a similar attack by the Houthis resulted in the sinking of the Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor, which led to one fatality.
