Abandoned tanker that drifted off the coast of Yemen in June has disappeared and is presumed to have sunk, three Navy and security sources said. This is another vessel lost in the strategically important Red Sea, reports Reuters.
The area, which is a major sea route from Europe to Asia, is considered high-risk because Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis have carried out more than 70 attacks on merchant ships since October in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
However, maritime security sources reported last week that the abandoned tanker "Lavant" unlikely to have been targeted by the Houthis. According to two sources, the tanker reported engine damage and started leaking water.
The Russian shipping group "Sovcomflot" reported last week that one of its ships responded to a distress call and rescued the crew off the southern coast of Yemen on June 23 after sailors left the ship in a lifeboat.
Navy and maritime security sources reported on Wednesday that the tanker "Lavant" probably sunk after days of drifting. It is unclear whether the vessel carried fuel on board. The owner of the tanker could not be reached for comment.
So far, the Houthis operating in the Red Sea have sunk two ships, seized a third and killed at least three sailors. They are still holding the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, including two Bulgarians, captive.
The Ukrainian ship Verbena, which was attacked by the Houthis with anti-ship cruise missiles last month and abandoned by its crew, remains afloat awaiting rescue, sources said. One of the sources said that an armed security guard on board was wounded during the attack.
European naval forces in the region told Reuters that the operation to rescue the "Verbena" continues.