A representative image of an LPG tanker that the European Union’s naval force Aspides said in a statement was on fire and adrift off the coast of Yemen on Saturday | Photo credit: via Reuters
Twenty-three Indian crew members aboard the MV Falcon, which caught fire and was adrift after an explosion off the coast of Yemen, have been rescued and safely handed over to the Djibouti Coast Guard.
The Cameroon-bound vessel MV Falcon, which was sailing southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden bound for Djibouti, caught fire after an explosion on board on Saturday (October 18, 2025).
The container was fully filled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
After receiving an urgent distress request from the vessel’s commander, UNAVFOR ASPIDES, a purely defensive operation that protects civilian ships and crews sailing in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, launched a search operation.
“EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, under the coordination of Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo, ASPIDES Force Commander, successfully coordinated the SAR (SEARCH AND RESCUE) operation,” said a statement issued by ASPIDES.
“MV MEDA successfully rescued 24 crew members of MV FALCON (1 Ukrainian and 23 Indians),” he added.
The MV Falcon was escorted to the port of Djibouti where the rescued sailors were safely handed over to the Djibouti Coast Guard.
Of the 26-member crew, two members are still missing.
ASPIDES has informed all competent authorities that vessels in the area must maintain a safe distance due to the risk of explosion as the MV Falcon is carrying LPG.
Published – 20 Oct 2025 14:43 IST
