Pakistani LPG Tanker Reportedly Hit by Drone in Yemen, Crew Safe
A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker carrying 27 crew members, including 24 Pakistanis, two Sri Lankans, and one Nepali, reportedly came under attack by a drone strike on 17 September while docked at Ras al-Esa port in Yemen, an area under Houthi control. According to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the strike caused an explosion in one of the vessel’s tanks, though the crew managed to extinguish the fire before it spread.
The tanker was commanded by Captain Mukhtar Akbar and was later intercepted by Houthi boats. Authorities in Islamabad confirmed that the crew was held aboard the vessel for a period before being released. Officials said the ship has since departed Yemeni waters with all crew members safe.
Naqvi alleged that the drone responsible for the strike was Israeli, though this claim has not been independently verified by international agencies. Major maritime incident monitoring bodies have not yet issued confirmation, and no statement has been made by Israeli authorities regarding involvement.
The incident underscores the growing risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, where Houthi rebels have previously threatened vessels. Ras al-Esa, also known as Ras Isa, is a strategic oil and gas terminal on Yemen’s west coast and has been the site of multiple attacks in the ongoing conflict.
Pakistani authorities said they were in constant contact with international partners to ensure the safety of the crew. While no casualties were reported, the event highlights the continuing escalation of tensions in the region’s maritime routes.
