A ship caught fire on 18 October 2025, in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen, after being struck by a projectile, according to the British military. Per reports, the crew was preparing to abandon the vessel as a search and rescue operation was launched.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that the incident occurred around 210 kilometres (130 miles) east of Aden.

The centre stated that the ship had been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire, and confirmed that authorities were investigating the matter.

Maritime security firm Ambrey identified the affected vessel as a Cameroon-flagged tanker travelling from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti.

The firm reported that radio communications from the ship indicated that the crew was preparing to abandon it while rescue operations were in progress.

Information shared by Ambrey appeared to match the Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker. The Falcon had earlier been listed by United Against Nuclear Iran, a New York-based advocacy group, as part of an alleged Iranian “ghost fleet” carrying oil products in violation of international sanctions.

UKMTO WARNING 036-25 – ATTACK – 18 OCT 25

Click here to view the full Advisory⤵️https://t.co/yo0ifPJJjr#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/BhoVg5rLs7

— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) October 18, 2025

According to reports, the Israeli military confirmed it was aware of the incident but said it had not conducted any operations in the area.

The attack took place amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea corridor, where Yemen’s Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels since the Israel-Hamas war began on 7 October 2023.

The group has not claimed responsibility for this latest strike, though it often delays such announcements.

The Houthis claim their maritime campaign is intended to pressure Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. However, since a ceasefire began on 10 October 2025, the group has not taken responsibility for any new attacks.

Per reports, at least nine seafarers have been killed and four ships sunk in Houthi-linked attacks since last year, disrupting one of the world’s busiest trade routes that previously handled about $1 trillion worth of goods each year.

The most recent confirmed Houthi attack before this incident was on 29 September, when the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht was hit, killing one crew member and injuring another.

The Houthis have also been accused of detaining several United Nations and aid organisation workers, alleging they were spies, claims strongly denied by the UN and other international agencies.

References: hindustantimes, moneycontrol