Three fires broke out on board a Greek-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea, reported by the UK Maritime Trade Agency (UKMTO) a day after rescuers evacuated its crew following an attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who control Yemen's most populous regions, said on Thursday they had attacked the crude oil tanker Sounion. as part of its 10-month campaign against commercial shipping to aid the Palestinians in the war between Israel and "Hamas" in Gaza.
The Houthis first damaged the tanker on Wednesday with repeated attacks that caused a fire and loss of engine power.
Later, a European warship rescued his crew of 25. Without a crew, the ship was anchored between Yemen and Eritrea.
Yesterday the UKMTO said it had received reports of three fires on the vessel which "appeared to be drifting”. Later in the day, the Houthis posted a video on social media showing them setting fire to the tanker.
The damaged tanker carrying 150,000 metric tons of crude oil poses an environmental hazard, the EU naval mission in the Red Sea "Aspides" said.
"Sounion" is the third vessel operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked by the Houthis this month.