The recent sinking of the oil tanker, Prestige Falcon, in the Arabian Sea has sparked a frantic search for 16 missing seamen. The vessel, which was en route to Yemen, collapsed off the coast of Oman, leaving 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans unaccounted for. As search operations intensify, the Indian Navy’s warship INS Teg, along with Omani vessels and coast guards, are scouring the waters in hopes of locating the missing sailors.
The Prestige Falcon, a Comoros-flagged oil tanker, was carrying 5,000 tonnes of fuel destined for Yemen’s port city of Aden. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the ownership of the cargo, with the state-run Public Electricity Corporation in Aden denying any involvement in controlling the ship’s contents. The incident has raised concerns about potential environmental repercussions, as a 220 km oil slick has been detected in the vicinity of Yemen’s Red Sea city of Hodeidah.
In a separate incident, the Houthis, a Yemeni militia group, have come under fire for attacking the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Chios Lion in the Red Sea. Footage released by the Houthis shows an explosive-laden boat colliding with the vessel, resulting in a massive explosion. The Conflict and Environment Observatory has condemned the group for jeopardizing the Red Sea’s ecosystem and posing ongoing risks to oil and chemical carriers in the region.
Despite these challenges, Yemen’s government has reassured that there is no evidence of contamination in the Red Sea following the sinking of the MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged ship carrying fertilizer and gasoline. The government has called on the international community to provide assistance in neutralizing any potential threats posed by the sunken vessel. Capt. Yeslem Mubarak, vice executive chairman of the Maritime Affairs Authority, emphasized that no pollution or slicks have been observed surrounding the ship, indicating that water has not infiltrated all of its compartments.
The escalating attacks on commercial and naval ships by the Houthis have raised concerns about maritime security in the region. Since November, the group has seized a commercial ship, sunk two others, and launched ballistic missiles and drones against vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean. These aggressive actions are believed to be part of an effort to pressure Israel to end its military operations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
As search and rescue efforts continue for the missing seamen from the Prestige Falcon, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of maritime operations in the region. The incidents involving oil tankers and attacks on vessels highlight the importance of maintaining vigilance and cooperation among nations to safeguard maritime security and protect vital waterways from environmental threats.