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19 October 2025

Explosion Sets LNG Tanker Ablaze Off Yemen Coast

A Cameroon-flagged LNG tanker erupts in flames in the Gulf of Aden after a mysterious projectile strike, prompting rescue operations and renewed concerns about maritime security in a key global shipping route.

Early Saturday morning, the calm of the Gulf of Aden was shattered when a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker named the MV Falcon caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile. The incident, which unfolded roughly 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) south of Ahwar on Yemen’s southern coast, has once again put a spotlight on the persistent dangers facing commercial shipping in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel was traveling under a Cameroon flag, journeying from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti. The UKMTO issued an urgent alert: “A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire. Authorities are investigating.” The maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed the ship’s identity and route, while the European Union’s naval force Aspides noted that about 15 percent of the MV Falcon was ablaze in the aftermath of the explosion.

Radio transmissions picked up by security monitors suggested the situation onboard was dire. Crew members were reportedly preparing to abandon ship as flames spread. In a swift response, a search-and-rescue operation was launched. Aspides later reported that 24 of the vessel’s 26 crew members had been rescued, though two remained unaccounted for as rescue efforts continued into the day.

The cause of the explosion remains a mystery. The EU’s naval force stated, “The cause of the explosion was unclear,” and both UKMTO and Ambrey emphasized that authorities are still investigating. The MV Falcon, a LNG tanker, is not the sort of vessel typically targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have mounted a well-documented campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since late 2023.

In the wake of the incident, speculation naturally turned to the Houthis, whose attacks on maritime traffic have become a hallmark of the region’s instability. However, a Houthi official from Yemen’s Ministry of Defence, speaking to the Saba news agency, denied any involvement. The official stated that the group “had no connection to the incident on Saturday.” Since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for any attacks on shipping, a notable pause given their previous activity.

The Houthi campaign, which the group frames as an act of solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, has had a profound impact on regional and global commerce. According to the Associated Press, the Red Sea corridor previously saw about $1 trillion worth of goods transit annually before the uptick in hostilities. Since late 2023, Houthi attacks have killed at least nine mariners and sunk four ships, with the most recent prior attack occurring on September 29, 2025. That assault targeted the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht, killing one crew member and injuring another.

The attacks have forced shipping companies to rethink their routes, often opting for the longer and costlier journey around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This rerouting has caused delays and increased shipping costs, with ripple effects felt across global supply chains. The sudden violence on Saturday, even as the Houthis deny involvement, underscores the precariousness of maritime security in these strategic waters.

For the crew of the MV Falcon, the ordeal was harrowing. Ambrey, the maritime security firm, described the initial radio traffic: the crew was “preparing to abandon ship,” and the urgency of the situation prompted immediate international response. The EU naval force Aspides coordinated rescue efforts, managing to save the majority of the crew. The fate of the two missing sailors, however, hung in the balance as darkness fell over the Gulf of Aden.

While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack, their broader campaign has been relentless. The group has launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel or its supporters. Their actions have not only disrupted trade but also drawn military responses. Israel, for its part, has repeatedly struck what it identifies as Houthi targets in Yemen, including a recent airstrike on October 16, 2025, that killed the Houthi military’s chief of staff, Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari. The Houthis, undeterred, have vowed that Israel will “receive its deterrent punishment for the crimes it has committed.”

Beyond the immediate violence, the ongoing conflict has cast a long shadow over humanitarian operations in Yemen. The Houthis have increasingly threatened Saudi Arabia and detained dozens of workers from United Nations agencies and other aid groups, alleging—without evidence—that they were spies. These accusations have been fiercely denied by the UN and other organizations, who warn that such actions only worsen the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remain vital arteries for global trade, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Suez Canal, at the northern end of the Red Sea, is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Disruptions here reverberate far beyond the region, affecting everything from energy supplies to consumer goods. Saturday’s attack, whether an isolated incident or a harbinger of renewed violence, has reignited concerns about the security of these waters.

As investigators work to determine the cause of the MV Falcon explosion, shipping companies and international navies are on high alert. The possibility of further attacks—by state or non-state actors—cannot be discounted. The stakes are high: not just for the mariners who risk their lives at sea, but for the billions of people around the world who depend on the steady flow of goods through these contested waters.

In the words of one maritime official, “Every incident like this is a reminder of how fragile global trade can be, and how quickly a single act can set off a chain reaction felt across continents.” For now, the world watches the Gulf of Aden, hoping for answers—and for the safe return of the missing crew.