New Delhi, October 20: Twenty-three Indian sailors were rescued after a fire broke out aboard a Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker off the coast of Yemen following an explosion on Saturday morning, according to maritime security reports.
The blast occurred around 7 a.m. UTC on October 18 when the MV Falcon was sailing about 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden on its way from Sohar Port in Oman to Djibouti. The explosion left the vessel adrift and engulfed in flames, with nearly 15 per cent of the ship reportedly on fire.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said initial radio transmissions indicated that the crew was preparing to abandon ship as smoke spread rapidly through the vessel. “The crew sent out distress calls shortly after the blast. They were forced to leave the tanker as conditions worsened,” the firm noted in its assessment.
Following the mayday signal, the EU Naval Force’s Operation Aspides initiated an immediate search-and-rescue mission. “All but one of the 24-member crew have been accounted for,” Aspides said in a statement. “Twenty-three Indian nationals have been safely rescued, while two remain unaccounted for and one is believed to still be onboard.”
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Preliminary findings suggest it may have been accidental, though a full investigation is underway. Maritime officials said the fire continued to burn through parts of the LPG carrier hours after the initial blast.
“The fire on board is increasing,” the Aspides command center noted in an operational update. “MV Falcon represents a navigational hazard, and vessels in the area are advised to maintain a safe distance.”
Given that the ship was fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas, rescue teams operated under strict safety protocols to avoid secondary explosions. A private maritime firm has since taken charge of the salvage operation to secure the damaged tanker, according to Aspides.
The incident comes amid heightened tension in the region’s busy maritime corridor. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming the attacks are in response to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. While there is no immediate evidence linking the fire on MV Falcon to any hostile action, maritime analysts say the volatile security environment continues to endanger civilian shipping traffic.
“This incident underscores the risks that merchant ships face while transiting near Yemen’s coastline,” a senior Indian maritime official said. “We are in close touch with the EU Naval Force and monitoring the safety of all Indian crew members involved.”
The Indian government is coordinating with international maritime authorities to confirm the status of the two missing crew members and ensure their safe recovery. The rescued sailors are reportedly in stable condition and were moved to a support vessel after being pulled from lifeboats.
Operation Aspides — launched by the European Union in February 2024 — is tasked with ensuring the safety of civilian vessels in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The mission was created after a series of missile and drone attacks on merchant ships by Houthi forces disrupted international shipping routes.
In recent months, Aspides has deployed naval assets and aircraft to respond to distress calls and escort commercial vessels through high-risk zones. The force said it continues to monitor MV Falcon’s position and the ongoing firefighting efforts.
As of Sunday, maritime tracking data showed the damaged tanker still adrift southeast of Aden. Weather conditions in the region remained calm, aiding rescue and containment efforts.
“The priority now is to fully extinguish the fire and ensure no environmental spillage occurs,” an EU maritime spokesperson said. “A professional salvage team is en route to stabilize the situation.”
The incident has renewed concerns about maritime safety in one of the world’s most vital trade lanes, through which an estimated 12 percent of global shipping passes. Analysts say disruptions in this corridor can have ripple effects on energy supply and freight costs worldwide.
For now, Indian authorities have confirmed that the rescued sailors will undergo medical checks and debriefing once they reach port. “Our primary focus is their wellbeing,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a brief statement. “Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining crew members and determine the cause of the explosion.”
As investigations continue, the fate of the MV Falcon remains uncertain. The charred LPG carrier drifts silently off Yemen’s southern coast — a stark reminder of the dangers of navigating through one of the world’s most volatile maritime regions.
