23 Indian crew rescued after fire on LPG tanker off Yemen coast

Twenty-three Indian crew members were rescued after a fire broke out aboard the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon following an explosion off the coast of Aden, Yemen. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, dismissing speculation that the blast was caused by a Houthi attack. However, the Houthis said they were not involved in the incident. The incident took place on Saturday, October 18, when the vessel heading to Djibouti, Cameroon, from Oman was sailing near the coast of Aden. As a result of the explosion, about 15 per cent of the ship was on fire while remaining adrift.
According to British security firm Ambrey, the MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti when the explosion occurred. Radio communication suggested that the crew was preparing to abandon the vessel as a search-and-rescue operation was launched. Following the incident, the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides launched an immediate search and rescue (SAR) operation.
According to updates, 24 crew members had initially abandoned the vessel, and 23 of them, all Indians, have been safely rescued. Two crew members remain missing, while one was still onboard MV Falcon at the time of the last report.