Burning Oil Tanker Abandoned in Red Sea Amid Houthi Attacks Risking Major Oil Spill

Salvagers have abandoned efforts to tow a burning oil tanker, Sounion, in the Red Sea, targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The incident risks a major oil spill and disrupts regional trade. The EU naval mission cites unsafe conditions for the halt, while alternative solutions are being explored.

Salvage workers have abandoned efforts to tow away a burning oil tanker, the Sounion, in the Red Sea after it was targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The decision was taken as it was deemed unsafe to proceed, according to a European Union naval mission statement on Tuesday.

The Sounion, carrying 1 million barrels of oil, now remains stranded, posing a significant risk of a spill. The incident escalates concerns in the ongoing conflict, which has already disrupted $1 trillion in goods passing through the Red Sea annually due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Alternative solutions are being explored by private companies, while the US State Department has warned that a potential spill could be catastrophic, surpassing the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. Houthi attacks continue to threaten shipping routes, further complicating the salvage efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)