Two more ships hit in Red Sea as Sounion continues to burn

Two successful attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea were carried out within hours of each other during the morning of September 2.

The first attack occurred at 0130 hrs, according to UKMTO reports, when a vessel was struck by two unknown projectiles around 70 nm northwest of Saleef, Yemen. A third explosion was reported close to the vessel, and no casualties were suffered during the attack. 

“Damage control is underway,” the report stated.

Media reports claim the vessel was Blue Lagoon I, a Panama-flagged shuttle tanker, and the projectiles have since been confirmed as missiles.

In a separate incident at 0630 hrs, a ship was hit by an Uncrewed Aerial System 58 nm west of Al Hudaydah, according to the master’s report to UKMTO.

Both ships reported that they were proceeding to their next ports of call.

The attacks come as tanker Sounion remains ablaze off Yemen. The ship was attacked by Houthis on August 21 and has been on fire since August 23 when Houthi forces boarded the ship and planted remotely-detonated explosives across its deck.

The Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the initial attack and recorded the subsequent boarding and remote detonation of explosives, have given their approval for salvors to approach the stricken tanker. Sounion is carrying around a million barrels of crude oil, and poses a significant risk to navigation and the environment.