An operation is currently underway to salvage a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker that remains on fire and adrift in the Gulf of Aden following an explosion on board on October 18. The incident occurred as the fully laden vessel was sailing off Yemen.
Crew Status and Rescue Efforts
The vessel was carrying 26 crew members when the blast occurred.
- Evacuation: Most of the crew were forced to abandon the vessel after the explosion.
- Rescue: Passing merchant vessels successfully rescued the majority of the crew, who have since been safely transferred to Djibouti.
- Missing Personnel: Two crew members are still unaccounted for.
Cause of the Incident
The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, with conflicting initial assessments.
- Accident Hypothesis: Maritime security sources and the European Union’s naval mission, Aspides, have stated that early indications suggest the blast was an accident related to the ship’s cargo of liquefied petroleum gas.
- Denial of External Attack: A Houthi defense ministry official denied any connection to the incident. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have, however, launched repeated drone and missile strikes on vessels in the Red Sea region since 2023.
- Voyage Information: The vessel was traveling from Oman’s Sohar Port toward Djibouti when the explosion happened.
Salvage and Navigational Hazard
Salvage efforts are currently focused on controlling the blaze and securing the drifting vessel.
- Operation Underway: A private company has taken on the salvage operation, with a firefighting vessel reported to be alongside the burning tanker. Efforts to secure the vessel are ongoing.
- Safety Warning: Due to the risk of further explosions and the drifting hulk, the EU naval mission Aspides has advised all vessels sailing in the area to exercise extreme caution, as the vessel poses a significant navigational hazard.
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Source: Reuters
