Tanker explosion in Red Sea Averted as salvage mission prevents catastrophic oil spill
A burning oil tanker struck by Yemen’s Houthi movement has been safely towed to a secure location in the Red Sea, averting what could have been an environmental catastrophe.
A burning oil tanker struck by Yemen’s Houthi movement has been safely towed to a secure location in the Red Sea, averting what could have been an environmental catastrophe.
The Greek-owned MV Sounion, carrying nearly one million barrels of crude oil, was abandoned by its crew on August 21 after being hit by missiles and explosives detonated onboard, igniting multiple fires.
An EU naval mission reported that the tanker, now under the protection of private salvage vessels and a warship, did not release any oil into the sea. “The completion of this phase of the salvage operation is the result of a comprehensive approach and close co-operation between all stakeholders committed to prevent an environmental disaster affecting the whole region,” the EU’s Operation Aspides announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Experts warned that any spill from the Sounion could have been nearly four times as large as the infamous Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989, which contaminated 2,100 kilometers of Alaskan coastline. Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered assistance to offload the tanker’s crude, though the vessel’s final destination remains undisclosed.
Houthi fighters, who have frequently targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea, justified the attack as part of their support for Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, claiming they only target vessels connected to Israel, the US, or the UK. Despite Western warships patrolling the region and retaliatory airstrikes, the Houthis remain undeterred.
In a separate incident, the Houthis announced they had downed a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen’s Dhamar province, further escalating tensions in the region. The US military acknowledged awareness of the claims but has yet to confirm them.
The Sounion attack underscores the persistent dangers facing commercial shipping in these strategic waters, while the successful salvage operation showcases international cooperation in preventing a large-scale environmental disaster.
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