Ship carrying gas abandoned in Gulf of Aden near Yemen after fire leaves one mariner missing
A Cameroonian-flagged tanker caught fire Saturday in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen, possibly after being struck by a projectile, leaving at least one mariner missing and another potentially still on board after the rest of the crew abandoned the vessel. The ship, Falcon, was fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas, raising fears of a possible explosion.
Officials offered differing explanations for the blaze. British authorities suggested a projectile hit the vessel, while the European Union described it as likely an accident. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the incident occurred about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of Aden. EU naval forces monitoring the area said the Falcon’s crew of 26 was mostly Indian, with one Ukrainian, and that initial reports indicated roughly 15% of the ship was ablaze. Nearby naval support included the Greek frigate HS Spetsai and French aircraft overhead.
The Falcon had previously been linked to Iran’s “ghost fleet” of tankers reportedly moving oil products despite international sanctions. Neither the ship’s operators, listed in India, nor the Israeli military, which stated it was aware of the incident but not involved, could immediately be reached for comment.
The blaze comes amid a campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targeted shipping through the Red Sea corridor, causing multiple deaths and sinking several vessels. The group has not yet claimed responsibility for the Falcon incident. Houthi attacks have disrupted one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, which moves about $1 trillion in goods annually. Their most recent reported strike targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on Sept. 29, killing one crew member and wounding another. The rebels have also increasingly threatened Saudi Arabia and taken aid workers hostage, accusing them of espionage—a claim denied by the United Nations and other organizations.
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