(Bloomberg) — A Cameroon-flagged tanker caught fire off the coast of Yemen after an explosion, with two crew members missing, signaling an ongoing risk to maritime transit even as a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire continues. The MV Falcon was sailing 113 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port of Aden, according to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, an EU military operation in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Gulf. It is estimated that 15% of the ship is currently on fire and there is a risk of more explosions. The UKMTO, which acts as a liaison between the navy and commercial vessels, said it had received reports that the vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile, but later added that it had not confirmed the source of the explosion and was unable to determine an accident on board. UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey said the tanker was en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti, and was not assessed as “affiliated with the Houthi target profile”. The tanker was listed by the US-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran in 2022 as being involved in sanctions-evading activities, Ambrey said in a statement. Ambrey said it received a distress call following an explosion on board the vessel, adding that it was aware of the crew’s intention to abandon ship. According to shipping data compiled by Bloomberg, a liquefied petroleum gas tanker named Falcon is currently positioned in the Gulf of Aden. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES said it sent an immediate response to rescue all crew members, 24 of whom were picked up by passing vessels, leaving two unaccounted for. All but one of the crew were Indian and the last member Ukrainian, the EU operation said. The Iran-backed Houthi militia, operating out of Yemen, has repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in a bid to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza, which has boosted trade in the vital waterway. The group stopped the attacks during the first cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in March, but resumed as negotiations fell apart and the war in the enclave resumed. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for Saturday’s incident from the Houthis. –With help from Ruth Liao and Rakteem Katakey. (Updates with new UKMTO statement starting in first paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2025 Bloomberg LP
Tanker on fire near Yemen after unexplained explosion
