A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen following an explosion, according to reports from the British maritime security firm Ambrey and the European Union’s naval task force. The incident occurred on Saturday, approximately 60 nautical miles (about 110 kilometers) south of Ahwar on Yemen’s southern coast.
Ambrey reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, which led to the fire. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military unit, confirmed the incident and stated that authorities are investigating the cause. The ship, identified as a Cameroon-flagged LNG tanker, was en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti.
The European Union Naval Force Aspides indicated that 15% of the vessel was engulfed in flames based on initial assessments. Rescue efforts were underway, with 24 out of 26 crew members aboard the MV Falcon successfully rescued. Two crew members remained unaccounted for at the time of the report.
Ambrey noted that the LNG tanker was not typically targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have historically attacked ships in the region. A Houthi defense ministry official denied any involvement in the incident, according to the Saba news agency.
The Houthi group has carried out a campaign of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since late 2023, claiming these actions as support for Palestinians during Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These attacks have disrupted trade through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
However, no attacks have been attributed to the group since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on October 10. The most recent attack targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on September 29, resulting in one death and another injury. The Houthi campaign has led to the deaths of at least nine mariners and the sinking of four ships.
Israel has conducted air strikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians. In response, the Houthis have launched missile attacks toward Israel, some of which have bypassed Israeli air defenses, causing disruptions and injuries at airports.
On Thursday, Israel claimed responsibility for the killing of Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, the Houthi military’s Chief of Staff. The Houthis responded by stating that their conflict with Israel is ongoing and that they will continue to impose what they call “deterrent punishment” for Israeli actions.
In August, Israel reportedly targeted senior Houthi figures, including al-Ghamari, in airstrikes on Sanaa. These strikes resulted in the death of the prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi-run government and several other officials.
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