Salvage Operation for Sounion Tanker in Red Sea
A salvage operation is set to resume for the Sounion tanker, which was attacked by Houthi rebels and is currently on fire in the Red Sea, holding about one million barrels of crude oil. The operation aims to prevent a potential environmental disaster from a possible oil spill.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 8 |
Novelty | 4 |
Positivity | 2 |
Reliability | 7 |
Actionability | 3 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- The Sounion tanker was attacked by Yemen's Houthis on August 21 and is currently immobilized and on fire in the Red Sea.
- The tanker holds approximately one million barrels of crude oil, posing a significant risk of an environmental disaster if it spills.
- The EU's naval mission, Aspides, is facilitating a new salvage operation to tow the Sounion to safety.
- The ship's crew has been evacuated, and the towing operation is expected to begin in the next two days.
- The Houthis detonated charges on the tanker after the initial attack, causing additional fires.
Perspectives
- Experts warn that if the Sounion tanker spills its cargo, it could lead to one of the largest oil spills in history, with devastating long-term effects on marine biodiversity and local economies. [14][15][18]
- The salvage operation is fraught with risks due to ongoing Houthi attacks in the region, raising concerns about the safety and feasibility of towing the burning tanker. [15][16][17]