Oil tanker continues to burn within the Red Sea – environmental disaster threatens | EUROtoday

For months, the Houthi militia from Yemen has been firing on ships within the Red Sea. An oil tanker hit might now result in an environmental catastrophe. This additionally threatens the provision of the folks in Yemen.

Satellite photographs present the placement of the approaching catastrophe from the air: the Greek oil tanker Sounion nonetheless seems to be burning.

“The ship is carrying a million barrels of crude oil. The tanks are still intact,” stated Sabrina Singh, spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense, a couple of days in the past. “There are fires in several places on the ship. These fires could spread and then reach the oil tanks – and if a million barrels of crude oil end up in the Red Sea, there is only one word for it: disaster.”

The Sounion might grow to be one of many worst environmental disasters in historical past – even worse than the Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred off the coast of Alaska in 1989, releasing 40,000 tons of oil into the surroundings. Hundreds of 1000’s of animals died.

Unique fish inhabitants, numerous corals

In this case, the delicate ecosystem of the Red Sea can be affected – with its distinctive fish inhabitants and numerous corals. And the provision of the already desperately poor folks in Yemen is also affected, warns Manfred Santen from the environmental group Greenpeace.

“Fishing is the main source of food in the region and it is estimated that up to 50 percent of the fishing business could be at risk,” says Santen. “This will of course have an immense impact on the supply situation of the people there.”

A primary try to tow the Sounion and extinguish the fires on board failed a couple of days later. The Houthis additionally proceed to assault ships within the Red Sea. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is presently touring within the Middle East and addressed the approaching disaster in her press convention in Jordan.

“Defending against Houthi aggression concerns us all”

“A Greek oil tanker has been burning for days and threatens to trigger an environmental catastrophe. This shows how important the EU operation 'Aspides', in which Germany is participating, continues to be,” stated Baerbock. The regional companions even have a accountability right here. “Because protecting international shipping and fending off Houthi aggression concerns us all.”

For months, the Houthis from Yemen have been firing on ships within the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis are demanding an finish to the combating in Gaza and an Israeli withdrawal – solely then will they cease attacking cargo ships.

An worldwide naval alliance and an EU mission are within the Red Sea to guard ships – however they too have been unable to stop the Sounion from being shelled. When the oil tanker was hit a number of instances, the crew was dropped at security. However, the ship initially drifted at sea with out command and is now anchored off the coast of Yemen.

subsequent Rescue try is unclear

The Yemeni authorities in exile in Aden is interesting to the worldwide group to proceed to assist rescue the ship.

“We in Yemen do not have the means to save the ship,” says Faisal al-Thalabi, head of the Yemeni Environmental Protection Agency. The ship's location makes entry tough, as it’s presently close to the port of Hodeidah, which is below Houthi management.

“Our emergency committee has already met. We have chemical agents to combat an oil spill and are in constant contact with maritime organizations to be prepared for any developments. We are updating information on the condition of the ship around the clock.”

It is unclear when and the way one other try shall be made to save lots of the Sounion, to extinguish the fires on board or to pump out the oil. Only one factor is for certain, says al-Thalabi: “If the ship sinks, that would be a tragedy for Yemen and for the entire world.”