EU says tugs abandoned bid to tow burning tanker due to safety issues

The European Union naval mission in the Red Sea says salvagers have abandoned an attempt to tow away a burning oil tanker targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The salvage attempt had been aimed at moving the ship before it begins leaking oil, threatening a massive environmental disaster in the Red Sea.

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have concluded that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed. Alternative solutions are now being explored by the private companies,” the Aspides naval mission says in a tweet.

It says it has been protecting tugboats that tried to tow the ship since September 1.

The Iran-backed Houthis initially attacked the Greek-flagged tanker on August 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of Operation Aspides rescued the Sounion’s crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, after they abandoned the vessel and took them to nearby Djibouti.

Last week, the Houthis released footage showing they planted explosives on board the Sounion and ignited them in a propaganda video, something the rebels have done before in their campaign.

That came hours after Iran claimed the Houthis had given permission for a salvage operation to take place.