The fire caused by an attack by Houthi rebels on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden has been extinguished
Trafigura, the owner of the British oil tanker Marlin Luanda, has reported that the fire caused by an attack by Yemen's Houthis has now been extinguished and the ship is now on its way to a safe port. The cargo ship was attacked in the Gulf of Aden on Friday evening. This was one of the worst attacks since the rebels decided to launch a campaign against shipping in the region to pressure Israel for its military offensive in Gaza.
After several hours of work, the crew finally managed to put out the flames. All employees are doing well, according to the company's latest statement. “The crew continues to closely monitor the ship and cargo,” the company emphasized. Trafigura has highlighted the “exceptional commitment and bravery” of the captain and crew in fighting the fire “in very difficult circumstances”. He also thanked for the help of Indian, American and French military ships.
The shipowner explained that the tanker was transporting “naphtha of Russian origin purchased in accordance with the price cap set by the G-7 sanctions,” a hydrocarbon used in the production of chemical products, and that its destination was Greece.
The Houthis have offered a different version: According to rebel sources in the Al-Mayadin network, the ship was instead headed to Israel, loaded with “special fuel” for the fighter jets, and they even went as far as accompanying American and British destroyers The ship is abandoning the Marlin Luanda to its fate, a claim the company denied in its recent statement.
First, British security firm Ambrey reported in a statement reported by Bloomberg that a missile hit this ship transiting the Gulf of Aden and caused a fire, although the crew was safe.
The US Army Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed via the social network anti-shipping attacks from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen and attacked the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker.” In the same statement, CENTCOM added that “the ship is a made a distress call and reported damage” and that the USS Carney and other international coalition ships “have responded and are providing assistance.” (agencies)