The Greek-flagged tanker Sounion, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels last week in the Red Sea, is still burning and now appears to be leaking oil, a US Pentagon spokesman said today.
US Air Force Lt. Gen. Patrick Ryder also said two tugboats attempted to approach the tanker, which was carrying about one million barrels of crude oil, but the Houthis threatened to attack them.
“Reckless acts of terrorism”
“These are reckless acts of terrorism that continue to destabilize global and regional trade, endanger the lives of innocent seafarers and threaten the rich marine ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Ryder said.
The Sounion was the third Athens-based Delta Tankers vessel to come under attack this month in the Red Sea. The 25-member crew left the tanker Sounion with the assistance of the EU maritime mission “Shields”.
Source: RES-MPE
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