MV Sounion: Salvage operation for oil tanker in Red Sea not safe, EU mission says

Source: BBC

Salvage operation for oil tanker in Red Sea not safe, EU mission says

3 September 2024

Sean Seddon & David Gritten
BBC News

The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea says private companies have called off attempts to salvage a burning oil tanker because the situation is unsafe.

The Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion, carrying about a million barrels of crude, was abandoned by its crew after it was hit by projectiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement on 21 August. Fighters later detonated explosives onboard, sparking several fires.

Last Wednesday, the Houthis said they had agreed to allow the tanker to be towed away to avert an unprecedented environmental disaster.

The EU mission, which was providing security to the tugs involved in the salvage operation, said “alternative solutions" were being explored.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2812pry0yo


The EU's military operation in the region released images of the tanker, which still had fires burning on its deck nearly two weeks after a Houthi attack (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)