The LPG carrier Falcon remains under salvage after an explosion off Yemen’s coast. The vessel, loaded with about 35,000 cbm of liquefied petroleum gas, caught fire on October 18 while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The crew abandoned the burning ship in liferafts.
The Indian Navy deployed the INS Trikand, operating in the region for maritime security. Greek and French units joined the response. Together they rescued 24 of the 26 crewmembers.
On October 22, the Indian Navy confirmed that its specialists had boarded the damaged tanker, recovered the bodies of two missing Indian seafarers, and helped extinguish the remaining fires. The team worked in extreme heat and toxic fumes.
The Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority said the survivors – 23 Indians and one Ukrainian – landed safely in Djibouti on October 19 and were in good condition. The Indian Embassy in Djibouti received the bodies of the two victims.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. Early reports mentioned a possible Houthis attack, but Western officials now consider it an accident linked to maintenance issues. The Houthis denied involvement.
