Barran Press
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) mission, known as "ASPIDES," reported on Monday, September 2, 2024, that the oil tanker "Sounion" remains ablaze, 12 days after being attacked in the Red Sea. The mission warned that the ship poses a "significant environmental threat."
In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter), ASPIDES stated that the Sounion, due to its large cargo of crude oil, constitutes a "major environmental threat." The statement also mentioned that private companies are participating in the rescue operation, which is about to begin.
The MV SOUNION, due to the large amount of crude oil it carries, presents a significant environmental threat. Private companies are involved in the salvage operation that is about to start. Upon their request, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will provide protection to the tug boats, that will… pic.twitter.com/V1XtJPlEeD
— EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) September 2, 2024
"Currently, several fires are still burning on the main deck of the vessel. The vessel remains stationary and has not drifted. There are no visible signs of oil leakage," the statement added.
Last Tuesday, August 27, the Pentagon spokesperson revealed that a third party attempted to send two tugboats to assist in rescuing the Sounion, but the Houthis threatened to attack them. The tanker is carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil.
For days, the EUNAVFOR mission has warned of an environmental disaster in the Red Sea after successfully evacuating the crew of a Greek oil tanker that was subjected to a series of Houthi attacks. The attack occurred about 77 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, causing the tanker to run aground and disable its engines. Thankfully, no crew members were injured.
The Houthis, a group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and controlling the most densely populated areas of Yemen, claimed responsibility for attacking the Sounion on Thursday.
ASPIDES reported that fires were observed in at least five locations on the ship's deck, along with a section of the upper structure ablaze. The mission confirmed that they successfully rescued the crew of the Greek tanker Sounion last Thursday after receiving a distress call from the captain.
The Greek-flagged Sounion poses a significant environmental risk due to damage sustained in an attack carried out by Houthi forces on August 21. The tanker is carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil. The Houthis claimed they had mined the tanker with explosives.
Since last November, the internationally designated terrorist group, the Houthis, have launched missile and drone attacks on commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.