Mon Oct 20 09:13:14 UTC 2025: Summary:
A Cameroon-flagged vessel, MV Falcon, carrying LPG, caught fire after an explosion off the coast of Yemen. All twenty-three Indian crew members and one Ukrainian crew member were rescued by MV MEDA under the coordination of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ASPIDES. The rescued crew were safely handed over to the Djiboutian Coast Guard in Djibouti. Two crew members remain missing. Vessels in the area have been warned to maintain a safe distance due to the risk of further explosions from the LPG cargo.
News Article:
Indian Crew Rescued After LPG Tanker Fire Off Yemen Coast
Djibouti City – October 20, 2025
All twenty-three Indian crew members of the MV Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), have been rescued after the vessel caught fire and was left adrift off the coast of Yemen on Saturday, October 18th. The rescue operation was coordinated by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ASPIDES, which operates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect civilian ships.
The MV Falcon, en route to Djibouti, experienced an explosion, leading to a fire that prompted an urgent distress call. The MV MEDA responded and successfully rescued the 23 Indian crew members and one Ukrainian crew member from the vessel.
“EUNAVFOR ASPIDES successfully coordinated a SAR (SEARCH AND RESCUE) operation,” a statement from ASPIDES confirmed. The rescued crew were then transported to the Port of Djibouti, where they were safely handed over to the Djiboutian Coast Guard.
Tragically, two crew members remain missing. Authorities have warned vessels in the area to maintain a safe distance from the MV Falcon due to the risk of further explosions from the volatile LPG cargo.
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by seafarers in the region and the crucial role of international naval forces in ensuring their safety. ASPIDES continues to monitor the situation.
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