LONDON: A major disaster was avoided in the Red Sea as the burning oil tanker MV Sounion, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi movement, has been towed to a safe area without causing an oil spill, the European Union’s Operation Aspides reported.
The Greek-owned and flagged tanker, which was carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil, was struck by missiles from Houthi fighters on August 21. Following the missile attacks, the tanker’s crew abandoned the vessel, and the Houthis subsequently detonated explosives on board, igniting multiple fires.
On Monday night, the EU naval mission released a photograph showing three vessels, operated by private stakeholders, engaged in the salvage operation. These vessels were protected by a warship as they worked to secure the tanker. The exact destination of the MV Sounion was not disclosed.
“The successful completion of this phase of the salvage operation reflects the dedication and cooperation of all parties involved in preventing a potential environmental catastrophe for the region,” said Operation Aspides in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The potential spill from the Sounion could have been catastrophic, with estimates suggesting it might have been nearly four times the size of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. The Exxon Valdez spill resulted in extensive contamination of 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) of coastline in Alaska.
In late August, Houthis said that they had consented to the tanker being towed away from Yemen following outreach from several international parties. The Houthis asserted that their attack on the vessel demonstrated their resolve to target any ship they perceive as violating the Yemeni embargo.
Since November, the Houthis have escalated their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels, seizing another, and causing the deaths of at least four crew members. They have claimed their actions are in support of Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza. The Houthis maintain that their attacks are directed at ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK.
