ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's Red Sea naval mission "Aspides" reported on Wednesday that a Greek-flagged oil tanker has been burning in the Red Sea for nearly a week.
The vessel, identified as MV SOUNION, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, has been on fire since Aug. 23, with multiple fires detected on its main deck, the mission said in a statement on social media platform X.
Though there has been no oil spill, the situation poses a serious risk of regional pollution and a navigational hazard to passing ships, it said.
It urged all vessels in the vicinity to proceed with utmost caution.
The mission said it is assessing the situation in coordination with European authorities, preparing to facilitate any necessary courses of action to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe.
MV SOUNION has been the target of repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi group last week. The incident began on Aug. 21 when the vessel was first hit by gunfire from two small boats approximately 77 nautical miles (about 143 km) west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah.
In a subsequent assault, the ship was struck by three unidentified projectiles, which sparked a fire and left it without engine power.
The attacks are part of a series of assaults by Houthi forces on ships in the Red Sea. The group claims these actions are "in solidarity with Palestinians" amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
In response to the Houthi maritime attacks, the U.S.-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes against Houthi military sites. However, this has only served to further escalate the tit-for-tat exchanges, with the Houthis vowing to continue targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel. ■
