Efforts are underway to salvage the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon, which remains ablaze and adrift in the Gulf of Aden after an explosion on board last week, according to maritime security sources.

The blast occurred on 18 October at around 0700 GMT while the vessel was sailing off the coast of Yemen. The tanker, which was fully laden with liquefied petroleum gas, was abandoned by most of its 26 crew members.

Early assessments by EUNAVFOR Aspides and other maritime sources indicate that the incident was likely an accident linked to the ship’s cargo, although the exact cause has yet to be determined.

Out of the 26 seafarers, 24 comprising one Ukrainian and 23 Indians, were rescued by the merchant vessel MV Meda, which was later escorted to Djibouti by the Hellenic frigate HS Spetsai.

Two Indian crew members are still reported missing. The rescued crew have been safely handed over to the Djiboutian Coast Guard, Aspides confirmed.

Aspides, led by Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo, coordinated the search and rescue (SAR) mission, with support from vessels operating in the region. The operation was successfully concluded, though the MV Falcon continues to burn and drift, posing a navigational hazard to passing ships.

A private company has now taken over the salvage operation, with a firefighting vessel currently alongside the stricken tanker. Sources reported on Monday that efforts to control the blaze and stabilise the vessel were still ongoing.

At the time of the explosion, the MV Falcon was en route from Sohar Port in Oman to Djibouti.

The Houthi-run Saba news agency cited an official from the group’s defence ministry as saying that the Houthis had no involvement in the incident.

Since 2023, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group have carried out numerous drone and missile strikes on ships in the Red Sea region, claiming the actions as part of their solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza.

EUNAVFOR Aspides has advised ships passing through the area to be extremely cautious, warning that the drifting MV Falcon remains a danger to navigation.

The mission said its operations are purely defensive, focused on protecting commercial vessels and crews in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to keep global trade routes safe and open.

References: Reuters, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES