Oil Tanker Sounion Attacked in Red Sea, Catches Fire

The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion was adrift in the Red Sea after being attacked by two small boats off Yemen's Hodeidah port, causing a fire on board. The crew was unharmed and assessing damages. This incident is part of a series of attacks by Houthi militants on international shipping.

The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion found itself adrift in the Red Sea on Wednesday after suffering multiple attacks that sparked a fire on board, according to the UK maritime agency.

The vessel, en route near Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, was targeted by two small boats and hit by several projectiles, as confirmed by the Greek Shipping Ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). A subsequent attack caused the tanker to lose engine power and its ability to navigate.

Delta Tankers, the ship's operator, stated that the Sounion had sustained minor damage, and its crew—comprising 25 members, including two Russians and the rest Filipinos—was evaluating the damage. No injuries were reported. This attack forms part of a series of assaults by Iran-aligned Houthi militants on international shipping in the region since November, leading to U.S. and British retaliatory actions and trade disruptions.

(With inputs from agencies.)