Aden – A Dutch-flagged cargo vessel, MV Minervagracht, was left adrift and ablaze in the Gulf of Aden following a suspected missile attack that injured two crew members and forced an emergency evacuation, according to the ship’s operator and the EU maritime mission Aspides.

The incident occurred approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, while the vessel was en route from Djibouti to Mumbai without cargo. The Amsterdam-based operator, Spliethoff, confirmed that the ship sustained significant damage after being struck by an explosive device. 

The crew, comprising Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan nationals, was evacuated by helicopter to nearby naval vessels, including Greek and French frigates.

One crew member remains in stable condition, while another was seriously injured and transported to Djibouti for medical treatment. The vessel, measuring 142 meters in length, is currently abandoned and drifting, with salvage operations underway in coordination with international authorities.

Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, maritime analysts suspect the Iran-aligned Houthi movement may be behind the attack. If confirmed, this would mark the first Houthi strike on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden since early September. The group has previously targeted ships in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The EU naval mission noted that Minervagracht had not requested protection prior to the incident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact nature and origin of the explosive device.