Crew Has Been rescued
LPG Tanker MV Falcon Ablaze Off Yemen Coast After Massive Explosion
A Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker, MV Falcon, caught fire in the Gulf of Aden after an onboard explosion. Most of the 26 crew were rescued, but the vessel remains adrift with a highly flammable cargo, raising fears of a catastrophic blast.
In a maritime emergency unfolding in the Gulf of Aden, the Cameroon-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker MV Falcon caught fire following an onboard explosion today (Saturday) raising alarms over a potential catastrophic blast that could spread flames across the sea.
The 31-year-old vessel, carrying a full load of Iranian-origin LPG destined for Djibouti, reported the incident around 10:00 UTC while approximately 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. Initial reports suggested a possible missile strike, but no projectiles were detected, leading experts to consider an accidental internal explosion as a likely cause.
Of the 26 crew members aboard, primarily Indian nationals, 24 were safely evacuated by nearby merchant ships and a Greek frigate from the EU's Operation Aspides mission. One crew member remains missing and is presumed at high risk, while another is believed to still be on the vessel. No deaths have been officially confirmed as rescue efforts continue.
The ship, owned by India's Delta Overseas and operated by Russia's SIBUR, is adrift and burning, with satellite imagery capturing thick smoke plumes.Authorities, including the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), have warned vessels to steer clear due to the risk of a vapor cloud ignition leading to "pools of fire" - intense, floating blazes that could span up to 2 square kilometers if the cargo fully erupts.
The fire initially impacted about 15% of the tanker, but the highly flammable LPG cargo amplifies explosion hazards.
Yemen's Houthis, who have disrupted Red Sea shipping with over 100 attacks since November 2023 in support of Palestinians amid the Gaza war, have not claimed responsibility—a departure from their usual swift announcements.
Analysts point out the MV Falcon lacks ties to typical Houthi targets like Israel, the U.S., or UK, and its cargo may even be bound for Houthi areas, reducing the likelihood of their involvement. Online discussions on X speculate alternatives, including Israeli sabotage due to the Iranian-sourced fuel and the tanker's role in sanctions-evading "ghost fleets," or simply an accident on the aging ship, which faced detention in Istanbul earlier this year for safety issues.Broader Context and Implications
This incident adds to the perils in the Gulf of Aden, where Houthi actions have sunk four ships, killed nine seafarers, and disrupted $1 trillion in annual trade. Investigations are ongoing, with no formal attribution yet, as international naval forces monitor the site.