A harrowing incident off the coast of Yemen saw twenty-three Indian crew members dramatically rescued from the MV Falcon, an LPG tanker that erupted in flames after an explosion. The rescued sailors have since been safely handed over to the Djiboutian Coast Guard, though the search continues for two missing individuals from the vessel’s original 26-person crew.
The Cameroon-flagged MV Falcon, laden with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), was sailing southeast of Aden, Yemen, en route to Djibouti when the explosion occurred on Saturday, October 18, 2025, leading to a significant fire.
Responding swiftly to an urgent distress call from the tanker’s master, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES launched a comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. ASPIDES, a dedicated defensive naval force, focuses on protecting civilian ships and their crews navigating the perilous waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
A statement from ASPIDES confirmed the successful coordination of the rescue effort, noting, “MV MEDA successfully rescued 24 crewmembers of MV FALCON (1 Ukrainian and 23 Indians).”
Following the rescue, the MV Falcon was escorted to the Port of Djibouti. Authorities have issued warnings, urging other vessels in the vicinity to maintain a safe distance due to the inherent risk of further explosions from the burning LPG cargo.