The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a vessel was attacked approximately 116 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen. An unknown projectile hit the ship, resulting in a fire.
UKMTO has not yet confirmed the source of the explosion, and authorities are considering the possibility of an onboard accident.
The affected vessel is the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker Falcon, which sent a distress signal indicating fire and an explosion. An investigation is underway, and other vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any unusual activity to UKMTO.
If it is confirmed that this was a Houthi attack, it would be the first since the Minervagracht was struck in the Gulf of Aden on September 29. It would also be the first Houthi strike since the U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas regarding hostage releases.
According to EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides, the LPG tanker FALCON is still on fire and adrift, while search and rescue operations are in progress. The MV MEDA, which has rescued 24 crew members (1 Ukrainian and 23 Indians), is heading to the port of Djibouti, escorted by the Hellenic Frigate HS SPETSAI. Two crew members from FALCON, both Indian, are still reported missing.
Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, suggested that the incident could result from either a misidentification by the Houthis or potential sabotage by Israel. He analyzed that the Falcon may be part of what is termed the “Ghost Armada” by the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organization, highlighting illicit maritime trade associated with Iran. “FALCON likely carries Iranian cargo,” Kelly noted.
TankerTrackers supports Kelly's analysis, stating that the LPG tanker FALCON (9014432), which caught fire today in the Gulf of Aden, was loaded with Iranian LPG from Assaluyeh after loading there on September 25, 2025. It was likely on its way to Ras Isa, Yemen, to supply the Houthis. This vessel was detained in January 2025 in Istanbul due to 13 deficiencies. The Indian-owned, Cameroon-flagged tanker is 31 years old, with 25 out of 26 crew members accounted for; one person is still missing. The vessel has no known insurance and isn’t blacklisted by any government.
Since November 2023, the Iranian-backed Houthis have carried out over 100 attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in support of Palestinians during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.