Inferno at Sea: Minervagracht Under Attack in Gulf of Aden

A Dutch-flagged cargo ship, the Minervagracht, is engulfed in flames and drifting aimlessly in the Gulf of Aden following an explosive attack. The EU maritime mission Aspides confirmed the incident, leading to the emergency evacuation of all 19 crew members via helicopter. The attack left two sailors injured, with the assailants' identity yet uncertain.

The vessel's operator, Amsterdam-based Spliethoff, reported significant damage due to the unidentified explosive device. The vessel was approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen during the attack. Despite previous similar assaults, this incident is reportedly the first attack by the Houthis on a commercial ship since September 2023, underscoring ongoing maritime threats in the region.

The crew members, hailing from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, were promptly evacuated, with one serious injury necessitating transport to Djibouti. The incident adds to a pattern of maritime hostilities in the Red Sea, purportedly linked to geopolitical tensions involving Yemen's Houthis, who have previously targeted vessels in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)