Efforts to tow the burning oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea were abandoned after salvage companies deemed it unsafe to proceed, the European Union’s naval mission Operation Aspides confirmed on Tuesday. The tanker, targeted by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, remains stranded with over one million barrels of oil on board, raising fears of an environmental disaster. Satellite images confirm that the fire aboard the Greece-registered vessel continues to burn.
Captured today via SkyTruth Alerts – the #SOUNION appears to still be burning, but no notable oil slick is visible in the water.
Many are following the fate of this vessel closely, as the 150,000 tons of crude oil aboard presents a serious environmental challenge for the region. https://t.co/JHSfZ5i18d pic.twitter.com/g4BItawL4J
— SkyTruth (@SkyTruth) September 4, 2024
The situation threatens to escalate into one of the worst oil spills in recent history, with the U.S. State Department warning the spill could be “four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster.” The Houthis, who claim their attacks are directed at Israeli-linked vessels, have launched over 80 assaults on merchant ships in the Red Sea since October, disrupting vital global shipping routes and aid deliveries to conflict-ridden Yemen and Sudan. The Sounion was initially attacked in August, and the crew of 29 was rescued by a French destroyer.
Video allegedly showing the MT Sounion exploding and on fire in the Red Sea. The tanker is carrying 150,000 metric tons of oil. A full release of the cargo would make it one of the worst tanker oil spills in history pic.twitter.com/470pc3OQjj
— Mike Schuler (@MikeSchuler) August 23, 2024
While salvage teams explore alternative solutions, the Houthis have reportedly suggested they may allow recovery operations. However, experts warn that the group has previously used the threat of environmental catastrophes to leverage political concessions. The EU mission continues to protect salvage assets, while the U.S. military remains uninvolved in the recovery, focusing instead on airstrikes targeting Houthi missile systems.
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