Greenpeace calls for urgent action to save the tanker Sunion and prevent an environmental disaster in the Red Sea

An international environmental organization called for urgent action to rescue the Greek oil tanker "Sunion" stuck in the Red Sea, west of Yemen, to avoid an imminent environmental disaster in the region.

Greenpeace said in a tweet on its X account on Tuesday: “We are following with concern the developments of the Greek oil tanker after the attack it was subjected to on August 21 in the Red Sea , after reports confirming that the fire is still burning on board the tanker.”

She added, "This critical situation cannot be tolerated and may worsen at any moment."

The international organization stressed that "it is necessary for the competent authorities to move urgently to contain the incident and rescue ( Sunion) as soon as possible, to prevent a massive disaster that could negatively affect communities and the environment in the region."

We are following with great concern the developments of the Greek oil tanker after the attack it was subjected to last Wednesday, August 21 in the #Red_Sea , after reports confirming that the tanker is still on fire. This critical situation cannot be tolerated and may escalate at any moment. It is imperative that the authorities take action… pic.twitter.com/UeifaWp08i

— Greenpeace Greenpeace (@GreenpeaceAR) September 3, 2024

On Tuesday, the European Union Naval Mission in the Red Sea (ASPEDS) said that its assets have been participating since September 1, 2024, in protecting boats participating in the rescue operation of the ship MV SOUNION , with the aim of facilitating the prevention of an unprecedented environmental disaster in the region.

In a statement on the X platform, it explained that the private companies responsible for the rescue operation concluded that the conditions were not suitable for carrying out the withdrawal operation and that it was not safe to proceed with it, noting that those companies are studying alternative solutions.

On August 21, the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked the tanker carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil in various attacks, and later returned by placing explosives inside it and setting it on fire. Since then, the fire has been burning inside it, threatening an oil leak and an unprecedented environmental disaster.