ATHENS: The crew of Panama-flagged cargo ship MV ISA STAR have been rescued in the Red Sea after sending a distress signal, the EU’s Aspides naval mission said.

“All crew members aboard the MV ISA STAR have been rescued and will be transported to Djibouti, the nearest safe port of call,” Aspides said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The vessel had reported flooding in the engine room and the master requested assistance, it said, as its crew of 20 were forced to abandon it.

One maritime security source said that the ship experienced engine problems and another source said that it had reported an internal explosion. Details on the current condition of the vessel were not immediately available.

The ship was about 100 nautical miles off the port of Hodeidah, Yemen, when it called for assistance, the sources said. Houthi forces have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2024