Greek-flagged vessel destroyed in Red Sea after string of Houthi attacks

·

A Greek oil tanker was repeatedly attacked in the Red Sea on Wednesday, August 21 leaving the vessel abandoned and drifting ablaze. The attack was suspected to have been carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The attack comes during an extensive campaign by Houthis targeting ships over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that has disrupted a trade route through which $1 trillion in cargo typically annually passes.

In the brutal attack, a crew of men on small boats first opened fire with small arms. Four projectiles then hit the ship leaving the blazing vessel adrift.

“The vessel reports being not under command,” the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) said.

The vessel was later identified as the tanker Sounion, which had 25 crew members on board as it traveled from Iraq to Cyprus. There were no reports of crew injuries or casualties.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors.

The last three recent attacks have all targeted vessels associated with Greek company Delta Tankers.

Shipping and Island Policy Minister Christos Stylianides condemned the attack, describing the incident as “a flagrant violation of the rules of international law and a serious threat to the security of international shipping.”

Photo: European Parliament / EU.

“Such actions endanger the lives of seafarers and disrupt the free movement of goods through critical maritime corridors,” Mr Stylianides added.

Sounion was confirmed to have been striked with missiles from two small boats while sailing 72 n.m. west of Hodeidah Yemen, in the Red Sea.

The damaged ship remains at the aforementioned site.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Life in Greece: As told by Zara Pirate

Just as how you wouldn't have six back-to-back piña coladas on a Monday morning at home, life in Greece is a little different in the off-season too.

Reviving the Bulgari legacy in Epirus

The Bulgari family, renowned for their global jewelry empire, is reconnecting with their roots in Paramythia, Epirus.

Gate sanctuary unearthed at Minoan palace in Crete

This year’s excavation at the Minoan Palace of Archanes on Crete has yielded a groundbreaking and rare discovery.

Mount Athos introduces new regulations for pilgrim access

The monastic community of Mount Athos has unveiled new measures to regulate the flow of pilgrims and safeguard the site's spiritual essence.

A mother’s take on Greek and Aussie drivers

In 2023, Greece recorded 637 road deaths or 61 deaths per million residents... Preliminary 2024 data show little change in fatality rates.

You May Also Like

North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry affirms commitment to Prespa Agreement

North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a statement affirming the country’s “unwavering commitment" to the Prespa Agreement.

Why should I learn Greek (Part 1)

Greek does not simply derive its significance as a community language or as the norm of the Greek-speaking sector of the Australia community.

Forest fire in Corinth leads to evacuation of children’s camp

Hundreds of children were evacuated from a summer camp in Greece as precaution after a forest fire broke out near Corinth and strong winds fanned the blaze.