Houthi Sink Ship Carrying Dangerous Goods
A bulk cargo ship, believed to be carrying class 5.1 ammonium nitrate fertilisers, sank in the Gulf Of Aden this week, days after being targeted by Houthi missiles, leading to fears of an environmental disaster in the Southern Red Sea.
The vessel ‘Rubymar’, which is UK registered and displays the flag of Belize, was abandoned last month after being hit by two missiles off the Yemen coast. It is the first vessel to sink since the Houthis began targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea region. The cargo ship had been drifting and taking on water for days after the missile strike on February 18th,.
The exact nature of it’s cargo has been disputed, but reports suggest it was carrying 20-50 tonnes of hazardous ammonium nitrate fertilisers, which has led experts to fear a major environmental issue could follow.
Greenpeace have called for action, stating that a spill like this could have significant impact on the delicate marine ecosystems of the Southern Red Sea, including coral reefs and it’s diverse marine life. A spokesperson said “Without immediate action, this situation could escalate into a major environmental crisis”.
There was more bad news in the Red Sea conflict this week, when a Houthi Missile strike on another cargo ship led to 3 crew members tragically losing their lives. The attack witnessed the first merchant crew fatalities since the rebels started targeting commercial shipping.
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