EU: New attempt to rescue burning oil tanker 'Sunion' in Red Sea begins

A new attempt to rescue a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea began Saturday after attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, a European Union naval mission said.

The European Union's Operation Aspides released images dated Saturday of its ships escorting three vessels heading to the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sunion.

The European Commission said the mission "actively participated in this complex endeavour, by creating a safe environment, which is essential to enable the tugboats to carry out the towing operation."

Satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC on Saturday morning, and later analyzed by The Associated Press, showed what appeared to be the three rescue ships near Sounion. A warship could be seen nearby.

The Sunion was attacked by the Houthis starting on August 21. The ship had a crew of 25 Filipinos and a Russian, as well as four private security personnel, who were transferred by a French destroyer to nearby Djibouti.

Later, the Houthis planted explosives on board the ship and blew it up, raising fears that a million barrels of crude oil could leak into the Red Sea.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 ships with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza began in October. They have seized one ship and sunk two in the campaign that also killed four sailors.

The rebel group later admitted that one of the sunken ships, the Tutor, sank after the Houthis planted explosives on board and after its crew abandoned it following a previous attack.

Other missiles and drones have also been intercepted by US-led coalition forces in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets.

Source: Associated Press