/Reuters Agency
The general cargo ship Minervagracht, flying the flag of the Netherlands, is on fire and adrift in the Gulf of Aden after an attack with an explosive device. The emergency triggered a rescue operation for its 19 crew members, according to reports from the European Union maritime mission (Aspides) and the ship’s operator.
It was not immediately clear whether the attack -which left two sailors injured- was perpetrated by the Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen, who since 2023 have launched multiple offensives against ships in the Red Sea that they consider linked to Israel.
The operator of the Minervagracht, Amsterdam-based Spliethoff, reported that the ship was in international waters of the Gulf of Aden when it was attacked by an unidentified explosive device, causing considerable damage and starting a fire on board.
“Two crew members of the Minervagracht were injured. Currently, the 19 crew members are being evacuated by helicopter to nearby vessels,” Spliethoff said, adding that the severity of the injuries is not yet known.
“The MV Minervagracht is on fire and adrift as a result of the attack,” stated the European Union maritime mission Aspides, specifying that the ship had not requested protection when it was attacked 128 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Aden, Yemen.
The Aspides mission reported that the ship’s crew consists of citizens of Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. If confirmed, this would be the first Houthi attack on a commercial vessel since September 1, when they assaulted the Israeli-owned tanker Scarlet Ray near the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
In July, the Houthis attacked and sank the bulk carrier Magic Seas and the cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea. The British Royal Navy agency, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), reported that military authorities reported that a vessel, located 128 nautical miles from Aden, was hit by an unknown projectile and was on fire.
Both UKMTO and the British maritime security firm Ambrey stated that they received reports of smoke in the vicinity of the unidentified vessel, and that the ship’s captain reported having seen a splash in the distance.
According to Ambrey, the vessel was previously attacked on September 23 while heading to Djibouti.
