EU’s Red Sea mission says still no oil spill from tanker hit by Houthis

Flames and smoke rise from the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, which has been on fire since August 23, on the Red Sea, August 25, 2024. Yemen’s Houthis said they attacked the Sounion in the Red Sea. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/ Handout via REUTERS/File photo

ATHENS, Greece – The EU’s Red Sea naval mission Aspides said on Thursday that no oil spill has been detected on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, despite multiple fires which have been detected on the main deck of the vessel.

The Houthis said on Wednesday that they had agreed to allow the towing of the Sounion that has been on fire since Aug. 23.

The EU mission added that is ready to “facilitate any courses of action”, in coordination with European authorities and neighboring countries to avert a catastrophic environmental crisis.

On Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the barrels of crude oil being carried by the Sounion were intact but the vessel itself was leaking some oil from where it was hit and multiple fires were still burning. — Reuters