A Cameroonian-flagged vessel, the Falcon, caught fire in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen on Saturday, following a suspected projectile strike. At least one mariner is missing, and another is believed to remain aboard the burning tanker after the rest of the 26-member crew, predominantly Indian with one Ukrainian, abandoned the ship. The incident has sparked conflicting explanations, with British authorities suggesting a projectile hit the vessel, while the European Union described it as an accident. The ship, fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas, poses a significant explosion risk, prompting warnings to nearby vessels. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident occurred approximately 210 kilometers east of Aden, with investigations ongoing. The EU’s Operation Aspides, which patrols the region, noted the Greek frigate HS Spetsai and a French aircraft were nearby. The Falcon has previously been linked to an alleged Iranian ‘ghost fleet’ evading international sanctions, though its Indian-based owners could not be reached for comment. The Houthi rebels, known for targeting ships in the Red Sea, have not claimed responsibility, though their activities have disrupted global shipping routes, with $1 trillion in goods passing through annually before the conflict. The Israeli military denied involvement in the incident. The Houthis’ campaign has already claimed nine mariners’ lives and sunk four ships, exacerbating regional tensions.
Burning ship loaded with gas abandoned in Gulf of Aden off Yemen as 1 mariner missing
