A new video captures the moment of destruction when the Greek-owned tanker Sounion was engulfed in flames following a Houthi attack from Yemen on August 21 in the Red Sea.
At the same time, Greece is taking a leading role in the towing of the tanker Sounion to prevent an environmental disaster, according to Bloomberg.
The Yemen rebels, supported by Iran, tried to justify the attack, claiming that the ship’s owner violated the ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.
The video was released by the Houthis on Thursday afternoon. The video shows a powerful explosion on the tanker, which was carrying over 150,000 tons of crude oil. The ship is seen burning and abandoned, 77 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen.
The Houthis had previously released another video on August 23 from their attack on the Greek-owned oil tanker in the southern Red Sea.
On Wednesday, Iran’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations announced that the Houthis had agreed to a “temporary ceasefire” to allow tugs and rescue ships to reach the damaged Sounion, which is adrift in the Red Sea.
Bloomberg: Greece Takes Leading Role in Towing Sounion to Prevent Environmental Disaster
Greece is leading the rescue efforts of the oil tanker Sounion, which is adrift in the Red Sea following a Houthi rebel attack. There is serious concern about a potential oil spill and the risk of an ecological disaster.
The rescue plan was organized by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in collaboration with European and regional leaders, including Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Greece also used diplomatic channels with Iran, a supporter of the Houthis.
The plan involves transferring the oil to another ship and towing the Sounion to a safe port, likely in Djibouti. Initially, the Houthis had threatened to block the towing operation, but they ultimately agreed.
The operation will be supported by Greek, French, and Italian ships from the European Union’s naval operation “ASPIDA,” while the Saudis are likely to oversee the oil transfer.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated that he discussed with his Saudi counterpart to ensure the operation would be conducted safely.
The Sounion, flying the Greek flag, was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil from Iraq when it was hit. The crew was rescued, but the ship was damaged, raising fears of an oil spill, although representatives of the “ASPIDA” operation have denied this.
A potential spill could have severe consequences for the coasts of Yemen and neighboring countries. If the entire cargo were to leak, it would rank among the largest oil spills in history.
