The European Union Naval Mission in the Red Sea, “Atalanta,” stated in a post on the X platform on Monday that the fire on the Greek-flagged ship “Sounion” continues to burn since August 23, following an attack by the Yemeni Houthi group.
The EU Naval Mission in the Red Sea confirmed that the “Sounion” remains anchored at the same point in international waters.
The mission clarified that there are no clear indications of an oil spill from the “Sounion.”
Last Wednesday, three projectiles struck the oil tanker “Sounion” off the coast of the city of Hodeidah in western Yemen, causing a fire onboard and resulting in engine failure, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which is operated by the British Royal Navy. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed they targeted the vessel with drones and missiles.
In a statement on Saturday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that the “continued Houthi attacks threaten to spill one million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, a quantity four times greater than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster,” which remains one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history.
Miller added, “While the crew has been evacuated, it appears the Houthis are determined to sink the ship and its cargo into the sea.”
The European mission noted that the “Sounion,” which carries 150,000 tons of crude oil, now poses a navigational and environmental risk, stressing “the need for everyone in the region to exercise caution and refrain from any actions that could further deteriorate the current situation.”
The “Sounion” is the third ship owned by “Delta Tankers” to be attacked in the Red Sea this month, following the “Delta Blue” and “Delta Atlantica” vessels, according to shipping data.
