UKMTO issues urgent alert: Tanker seized off Yemen coast

A tanker that issued a distress call off the coast of Yemen has been seized by armed men.

TodayPress TV reports that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency shared the information on social media platform “X”.

“UKMTO has confirmed that six armed individuals have boarded the vessel and are currently in control of it,” the statement said.

The tanker reportedly changed course after being seized and is currently heading toward the coast of Somalia.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Crews of vessels in the vicinity have been advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

On August 20, a tanker sailing along the coast of Yemen issued a distress call. The alert was received when the vessel was 135 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla. At the time, the tanker’s crew, which was sailing westward in the Gulf of Aden, reported that an unidentified vessel was approaching them.

The details in the report are consistent with UKMTO's August 20 incident information, which places the incident 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla and confirms that six armed persons boarded the tanker and redirected it toward Somalia.

Qiymat Mahir