Containership Set Ablaze After Red Sea Missile Attack
A Hapag Lloyd operated container ship has been struck by a missile launched from Yemen today while travelling in the Red Sea, leading to a fire breaking out on the 15,000 teu vessel.
According to widespread reports, the missile was launched from a part of Yemen which is controlled by the Houthis – a rebel movement backed by Iran. The Houthis seized power of this region nine years ago and have recently declared their support for Hamas and stated that they are targeting ships travelling to Israel.
A US defence official today told news agencies “We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire”.
The vessel, namely the ‘Al Jasrah’, is owned by German steamship line Hapag-Lloyd, and sails under the flag of Liberia. The container ship was on its way to Singapore from the Greek port of Piraeus when the missile struck, and has fortunately reported no casualties.
There are also reports of further drone attacks on cargo ships in the past 24 hours.
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock – Daniel
