Operators from the EUNAVFOR mission Aspides have rescued the crew of the general cargo ship “Isa Star” in the Red Sea after a fire broke out on board.
The ship was off Yemen on its way from Venice to Batu Ampar in Indonesia.
The crew was forced to abandon the sinking ship and had sent out a distress signal. According to initial reports, the fire broke out in the engine room after water leaked in. The exact cause is not yet known. However, the Houthi militia, which is responsible for several attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, is not yet believed to be involved.
EU Navy rescues crew of the “Isa Star”
The 108-metre-long ship was 100 nm from the port of al-Hudaida, Yemen, when it made the distress call. The EU naval mission Aspides sent a ship to rescue the crew, which consisted of 20 Indian and Ukrainian seamen. The seamen were then dropped off at the nearest port of call in Djibouti.
The “Isa Star”, which flies the flag of Panama, is operated and managed by Azimuth Ship Management, which is based in the United Arab Emirates. The registered owner of the vessel is Hong Kong-based Global Oceanic Chartering.
