Operation to Tow Stricken Greek Oil Tanker Out of Red Sea

The Greek Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that an effort is being made to tow the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion out of the Red Sea almost a month after it was abandoned by its crew following an attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The ship suffered heavy damage from the Houthi missile and sabotage attacks and has been adrift ever since, threatening an environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea.

“(The tugboat) Aigaion Pelagos has begun to gradually tow the tanker northwards, escorted by military vessels,” the Greek defense source told AFP.

Other sources confirmed that military forces from an unspecified country were escorting the stricken tanker and a Greek firefighting ship was also in the area in case it was needed.