- Authorities Investigate Cause as Source of Blast Remains Unclear.
- Crew Rescued Amid Ongoing Fire and Missing Personnel.
- Experts Point to Possible Misidentification or Sabotage.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an explosion on a vessel located about 116 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen. An unidentified projectile is said to have hit the ship, igniting a significant fire onboard. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident and haven’t ruled out the possibility of an accident occurring on the vessel itself, reports gCaptain.
Distress Alert and Caution Advisory Issued
Shortly after the explosion, the crew sent out a distress alert indicating a fire and explosion. Investigations are currently in progress, and UKMTO has urged other vessels in the area to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities. If this incident is confirmed as a Houthi attack, it would mark the first strike in the region since late September and the first one following the U.S.-brokered agreement for the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas.
Rescue Efforts Underway
European naval forces have reported that the damaged vessel is still ablaze and drifting in the Gulf of Aden. A nearby merchant ship managed to rescue 24 crew members, who are now being escorted to Djibouti by a European warship. Unfortunately, two crew members are still unaccounted for.
Possible Motives and Links to Iran
Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, raised the possibility of “either a Houthi misidentification or Israeli sabotage.” He noted that the Falcon may be part of what the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organisation calls the “Ghost Armada,” a network linked to illicit Iranian maritime trade. “FALCON is probably carrying Iranian cargo,” said Kelly.
TankerTrackers supported Kelly’s assessment, stating: “The LPG tanker FALCON (9014432), which caught fire today in the Gulf of Aden, was laden with Iranian LPG from Assaluyeh after loading there on 2025-09-25. She was most likely heading to Ras Isa, Yemen, to supply the Houthis. This vessel was detained in January 2025 in Istanbul for 13 deficiencies. The Indian-owned, Cameroon-flagged tanker is 31 years old and 25/26 crew are accounted for. One person is still missing. No known insurer and she isn’t blacklisted by any government.”
Wider Context of Houthi Maritime Attacks
Since November 2023, Iranian-backed Houthi forces have launched over 100 attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks are part of their stated support for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Source: gCaptain
