Rescue Operation Underway for Greek Oil Tanker Sounion after Houthi Attack

The rescue operation for the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion off the coast of Yemen, which is still ablaze following the attack of Houthi rebels last month, is underway, as announced by the U.S Central Command (CENTICOM), responsible for the Middle East.

The oil tanker, carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil was repeatedly hit by Houthi terrorists on August 21, off the coast of Hodeidah, an area controlled by the rebels in the Red Sea.

The Houthi movement, allied with Iran, claimed responsibly for striking the vessel with drones and missiles, while later reported having planted explosives on the tanker which caused the fires on the bridge, before finally granting ‘permission’ for the vessel to be towed to a safe port to prevent an environmental disaster from oil leakage.

CENTCOM stated via X (formerly Twitter) that a “rescue operation is currently underway” for the Sounion, which “is still on fire” and poses a risk of a “major environmental catastrophe.”

Earlier on Monday night, the European Union’s naval mission Operation Shield announced it would guarantee the protection of the tugboats undertaking the rescue operation and facilitate their efforts to avoid an environmental disaster in the Red Sea.

According to the same source, fires are still burning on the main bridge of the ship, but there is no indication of a crude oil leak, so far.

The tanker’s 25-member crew, consisting of 23 Filipino and 2 Russian nationals, was rescued by a French frigate from the Operation Shield forces the day after the attack.

The Sounion is the third ship owned by the Athens-based Delta Tankers that was attacked this month by the terrorist rebels in the Red Sea.