Yemeni Officials Warn of Mine Threat in Red Sea
Image Courtesy: Google MapsThe shippers have been urged to steer clear of the navigational channel to the east of the Yemeni island of Zuqar in the Red Sea due to possible mines in the area.
Namely, the Yemeni Coast Guard warned the shipping community of the possible dangers in the navigational channel following reports that Houthi rebels had placed a number of naval mines in the vicinity.
On April 14, the Yemen Coast Guard Chief, Major General Khalid Al-Ghommaly, confirmed that the authorities were provided with the information on the mines.
The shippers are to avoid the area until the mines can be cleared.
The latest mine threat comes on the back of the incident in which two sailors lost their lived and eight other were wounded when a Yemeni Coast Guard vessel hit a naval mine in the Red Sea in early March.
Media reports earlier indicated that the mine was planted in the area by the Houthi militants.
World Maritime News Staff
