The Greek-flagged tanker Sounion, which was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last week, continues to burn and now appears to be leaking oil, according to a U.S. Pentagon spokesperson.
U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder also revealed that two tugboats attempted to approach the tanker, carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil, but were threatened by the Houthis.
“These are reckless acts of terrorism that continue to destabilize global and regional commerce, endanger the lives of innocent seafarers, and threaten the rich marine ecosystem of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” Ryder emphasized.
The Sounion was the third vessel owned by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked in the Red Sea this month. The 25-member crew successfully evacuated the tanker with the assistance of the EU’s naval mission “Shield.”