An oil tanker struck by a Houthi missile is on fire in the Gulf of Aden. The movement said it had targeted the Marlin Luanda on Friday evening.
The tanker was operated on behalf of multinational company Trafigura, the firm has said. In a statement, the commodities giant, which has offices in Britain, said firefighting equipment on board was being deployed to control the flames and the safety of the crew is its “foremost priority”.
A Trafigura spokesperson said: “Earlier on 26 January, the Marlin Luanda, a petroleum products tanker vessel operated on behalf of Trafigura, was struck by a missile as it transited the Red Sea.
“Firefighting equipment on board is being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side. The safety of the crew is our foremost priority.
“We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully. Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance.”
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident 60 nautical miles south-east of Aden on Friday.
A statement from Brigadier General Yahya Saree of the Yemeni Armed Forces, said: “In vindication of the oppressed Palestinian people and in support and solidarity with our brothers in the Gaza Strip, and within the response to the American-British aggression against our country Yemeni naval forces carried out a targeting operation on the British oil ship (MARLIN LUANDA) In the Gulf of Aden.
“Using a number of appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct, and resulted the burning of the vessel.
“Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations: enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian seas until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, and food and medicine are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.”
